FOR being at the forefront of basketball development for the
past three decades, the Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training (BEST) Program
will be elevated to the Hall of Fame by the Philippine Sportswriters Association
during the San Miguel Corporation-PSA (SMC-PSA) Awards Night tomorrow at the SM
Mall of Asia.
Nic Jorge formed the BEST Program on March 30, 1978 after a
month-long training in Rome, Italy, where he was joined by 10 coaches from Asia
under the Olympic Solidarity Program.
"We teach the fundamentals, lahat ng klaseng fundamentals ng
basketball – that’s our philosophy, dahil sabi nila, basketball is just a series
of fundamentals," said Nic, who was inspired to bring the concept of basketball
clinics to the Philippines as budding players at that time had no formal
training in the sport.
The Jorge siblings Nicky, Monica and Veronica were the first
lecturers of the first-ever BEST Clinics, attended by 25 kids. As more
enthusiasts came in, Jorge’s desire to improve the quality of classes became
notable.
Kids who went to the BEST clinics got to test their newfound
skills in the Small Basketeers Philippines program (for 9 to 12 year old
participants) and the Passarelle competitions (12 to 14 years old).
Jorge’s formation of the SBP and Passarelle programs – and
later on the Women’s Basketball League – helped the BEST clinics expand its
classes at a nationwide level.
"For 30 years, the BEST Center has tirelessly taught Filipino
kids how to properly play the game closest to our hearts and it is just fitting
that we elevate Mr. Jorge’s program to the PSA Hall of Fame," said PSA President
Aldrin Cardona, who also announced that awardees who failed to receive their
invitations can get it at the reception area of the SM Mall of Asia during the
awards day itself.
The two-hour awards ceremonies will start at 5:30 pm., to be
broadcast by media partners ABC5 and DZSR Sports Radio 918, and supported by
Shakey’s, PSC, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation, Accel, Toby’s,
Raymundo’s Trophies and Sculptures (www.raymundosawards.com), Tagaytay City
mayor Bambol Tolentino, Air21, Noosa Shoes and Raymund Yu and Terry Que of
Welcoat Paints.
Senate President Manny Villar is the guest speaker while
other sports officials gracing the event are Philippine Olympic Committee
president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William
‘Butch’ Ramirez, Games and Amusements Board Chairman Eric Buhain, among others.
International Boxing Federation-International Boxing
Organization flyweight champion Nonito Donaire and 24th Southeast Asian Games
Best Male Athlete awardee Miguel Molina will be sharing the Athlete of the Year
tiara, while Pacquiao, a four-time recipient of the PSA Athlete of the Year, is
the recipient of the PSA President’s Award.
Golfer Frankie Minoza, world 8-ball champion Ronnie Alcano,
chess Grandmaster Wesley So, basketball stars Mark Caguioa (pro) and Jason
Castro (amateur), Padyak Pinoy cycling champion Victor Espiritu, jockey Patti
Dilema and champion racehorse Es Twenty Six are the PSA’s major awardees, while
getting the Toby’s-Tony Siddayao Youth Excellence Awards are jungolfers Mia
Legaspi and Marcel Puyat and RP Wushu Team composed of Mary Stepanie Agbay and
Henson John See.
Spicing up the event is a rock and dance concert, a fashion
show featuring Accel’s latest summer collection and swimwear, a photo exhibit
and a sports memorabilia. The concert will be top-billed by reggae veteran
Tropical Depression and Baguio City sensation Session Road, with support from
all-male dance group Abztract Dancers and other rock acts Dream Kitchen, Pancake
80 and 52nd Street.
