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In a country where summer basketball camps are a dime a dozen, Batang PBA has managed to stand out all these years.
Every summer, dozens of basketball camps sprout up all over the metropolis, eager to draw in young Filipino hoopsters dreaming of becoming the next Scottie Thompson. But none can offer the experience offered by Batang PBA.
For the past 21 years, Batang PBA has provided a venue for Filipino kids to get exposed to PBA-type training. For four days, kids from 9 to 11 and 12 to 15 receive training and guidance from a select group of coaches who carry out a training program especially designed by the camp director and PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro, with inputs from other PBA basketball minds.
Afterwards, the campers are divided into the 12 PBA teams for a mini-tournament held in PBA venues. This year’s 9-11 age tournament was hosted by the Philsports Arena, while the 12-15 players will compete at the Ynares Center in Pasig.
Batang PBA was first launched in 2004 during the term of Commissioner Noli Eala, who drew inspiration from a similar youth camp on the other side of the Pacific.
“It was my version of Jr. NBA,” Eala told The GAME in a message. “But in addition, it was a mini-experiment on how PBA teams can tandem with local government units. I was already studying the possibility of an LGU-based conference.”
Since then, the camp has trained over 3,000 kids and teenagers while immersing them in a full PBA experience.
“It started back in 2004, but this kind of setup that we offer a camp and clinic of four sessions, it started back in 2016 during the commissionership of Commissioner (Chito) Narvasa,” Castro told The GAME. “So what we offer is that after the 4 days of the sessions of the clinic, we have this mini tournament where all the players have a chance to wear their PBA replica uniforms. So basically, what we offer is the PBA experience, the chance to play in the venue of the PBA games.
“It’s a great opportunity for all the kids to meet some of our PBA players also. Just like last time, we had an opening, our guests were Gian Mamuyac and RJ Abarrientos.”
Mamuyac himself is a Batang PBA alum, as are Aaron Black and the Nieto twins, Mike and Matt. There are many more who eventually made their way to the PBA and even other Asian leagues. The OG, though, of Batang PBA alumni is Kiefer Ravena, who was among the earliest camp participants when it was just getting started in the mid-2000s. Among the next generation, Gilas Youth forward Ethan Tan-Chi is a recent graduate.
For this year, Castro estimates that around 180 kids signed up for the 11-under group and 150 for the 15-under group. Those numbers are actually down from previous years due largely to the adjustment in school opening. And while their number is still small, this year saw a slight uptick in girl participants.
Castro shares that they have participants who come all the way from places like Bukidnon, Samar, and Batangas. He also stresses that what they teach in Batang PBA goes beyond skills development.
“The timeless values of discipline, hard work, perseverance, determination,” he said. “All the necessary values that you need to become, not just a successful player, but a good person.”
Castro further stresses that while their mini-tournament may not be as competitive as other summer leagues, it’s the full experience that sets Batang PBA apart.
“What we offer here in Batang PBA is the PBA experience that sets us apart from other camps, from other clinics. And of course, the PBA atmosphere that we give during our mini tournament.
“It’s the enjoyment of the kids. We’re happy to see that the kids are having fun through basketball. But in basketball, especially for kids, the interest is very important. Once you have that interest, it will follow everything. So that’s what’s important to us.”
Banner Images from Sid Ventura