An ambitious program in search of big men from among the poor youth will soon unfurl in Manila and, hopefully, nationwide.
Olympian Arturo Valenzona disclosed that he and fellow former players, coaches and basketball gurus are ready to launch the program in the hope of discovering and developing tall boys that can be developed to become big-time campaigners in the amateur and professional leagues and, eventually, carry the country's colors in international competitions.
"Nagbuo na ako ng team that is now completing a study on the matter and maybe in the next few weeks, baka magsimiula na kami," Valenzona, a member of the Philippine team that competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic qualifying tournament in Yokohama, Japan told this writer in a chance meeting the other day.
The program, to be called "Big men's Camp" and will be held under the aegis of the Arturo Valenzona Foundation will be opened free to those interested, especially among the poor boys and girls of Manila and adjacent cities and municipalities.
"Libre ang camp para sa mga mahihirap nating mga kabataan, who cannot afford to enroll in the already existing basketball clinics because they lack money," Valenzona, one of only two Filipino coaches who had completed the circle of handling and winning championships in collegiate, commercial (amateur) and professional leagues, relayed.
"This, actually, is a product of my going around almost the entire country where people suggested to me why not hold thi kind ofx clinic for free," he recalled. "Naisip ko nga, eh hindi naman lahat ng mga naging magagaling na player natin ay galing sa mga may pera, di ba?"
"The plan is for big men, pero puede rin yung hindi naman kalakihan. May mga magtuturo din naman na point guard, forward. Grassroots-oriented naman ang program na pinaplano namin," Valenzona, who helped Far Eastern University to th UAAP title conquest for time and a member of the Yco Painters under the late coach Leo Prieto to seven consecutive National Open championships while an amateur, said.
"As of now, dito muna sa Metro Manila kami magko-concentrate.. Kapag naging successful, baka ma-expand sa mga probinsya kung saan nandoon ang mga matatanagkad nating mga kababayan," he said.
Valenzona can also be remembered as to have fashioned out a first five-peat in the NCAA while coaching the San Sebastian Stags. As coach in the amateur ranks, he handled the Tamaraws, Apcor, Pop Cola and Solid Mills to several title victories.
He mentored Tanduay Rhum to three PBA championships and Gilbeys Gin to three runner up finishes.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Eddie Alinea.