Sir Litz basketball camp opens, still accepting entries

CEBU, Philippines - This year's edition of the annual Sir Litz One on One Basketball Training Camp kicked off yesterday at the covered court of Yati Elementary School in Liloan with over a hundred aspiring hoopsters in attendance.

 Despite the huge turnout of entries, camp director Edcel Vallena said they will still be accepting participants for their month-long clinic until this week.

"Our camp is open to players up to 20 years old. For me, age doesn't matter especially to those who are willing to learn and improve on their craft. As they say, basketball never stops," said Vallena, a former collegiate standout and veteran coach.

Those who will register will receive a reversible jersey. For more information, interested parties may contact 0906-4683775 or 0943-6068834.

Since classes are still going on at Yati ES, Vallena said the training session, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 12nn (Monday to Friday), will temporarily be held at the San Vicente gym until April 7. It will be back in Yati on April 10.

In harnessing the hardcourt skills of their students,  Vallena said they will be applying the scientific styles of American and Korean basketball.

Now on its 17th year, Sir Litz takes pride for being one of the longest existing basketball training camps in Cebu.

It counts John Paul Desiderio among its brightest products. A proud Liloanon, Desiderio is the star guard of the University of the Philippines Maroons in the UAAP who also plays for Cafe France in the PBA D-League. He first made a name for himself as a member of the University of the Visayas Baby Lancers.

"He (Desiderio) was with us when he was only nine years old. Hopefully we can produce more players like him through our summer camp," said Vallena. (FREEMAN)