Say hello to hoop dreams
MANILA, Philippines - Why is Nokia getting involved in Philippine sports? Cell phones, Internet connections, the best e-mail devices are what Nokia has targeted its sights on — as a cell phone company, that is. But, the Finnish company, which has been in the Philippines for many years now and made its cell phone among the top cell phones in the country, wants to give back.
What better way to do that than through helping the country develop a national basketball team that can bring glory to this basketball-loving country of ours.
“This project was presented to me by Jun Sy, our distributor partner from Tao Corporation,” said William Hamillton-Whyte, GM, Nokia Philippines. “It integrated several good reasons for Nokia to want to be part of that project of developing a Philippine National Youth Team. We want to help young people from the province gain access to scholarships. And, it is also the opportunity for Nokia to give back to the Filipinos the pride that is due to them in a sport that they love.”
Thus, the Nokia Pilipinas Junior Men Basketball Team, a basketball program of Nokia and TAO Corporation that mentors the youth to become world-class basketball players, was started.
This year’s team is composed of the country’s outstanding youth players 16 years old and under coming from the high school ranks plucked from Manila, and different provinces such as Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Tryouts were held at Xavier School gym where close to 200 players tried out. Anyone could come to the tryouts, whether they had attended NBTC Developmental League or not.
From close to 200 players, 22 were chosen and eventually, the team was reduced to 16. The members of the Nokia Pilipinas Youth Team are Von Pessumal of Ateneo, Roldan Sara of San Beda, Kiefer Ravena of Ateneo, Ralph Nayve of San Beda, Jeron Teng of Xavier, Kristoffer de la Costa of San Beda, Jeoffrey Jarillonar of Benedictine International School, Mike Tolomia of Far Eastern University-Nicanor Reyes Educational Foundation, Paolo Luis Romero of Ateneo, John Aldrin Lunas of San Beda, Kevin Ferrer and Cederick Labing-isa of University of Santo Tomas, Michael Anthony Pate of International School for Better Beginners in Lucena, Rene Sta. Maria III of La Salle-Greenhills, Joshua Alolino of University of Perpetual Help Las Piñas, and Bobby Ray Parks of St. George International School.
“We selected the players based on the following criteria: sound fundamentals, quickness and ability to shoot from the outside,” says Nokia Pilipinas coach Eric Altamirano. “We also took into consideration the player’s attitude towards his coaches and co-players. We are looking for players that would represent our country well on and off the basketball court.”
TRAINING DOWN UNDER
In preparation for the SEABA and 2009 FIBA Asia Under 16 tournaments in July and November, the team is currently undergoing training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia. They are undergoing rigid training which focuses more on individual skills-shooting drills, defense and on team concepts. Training is handled by coach Rob Beveridge, who is head coach of Basketball Australia. They are also receiving educational sessions on nutrition as well as on strength and conditioning.
“I believe in our kids and in the team coaching them,” added Whyte. “I can only see success.”
Players Speak Out
We asked the players what it feels like to be on the Nokia Philippine team and, of course, their fave Nokia cell phone. Here’s what they had to say:
CRIS MICHAEL TOLOMIA
16 years old
Province: Zamboanga
School/Team: FEU-FERN
Playing Position: Guard
Height: 5’11”
Favorite team: LA Lakers
Idol: Steve Nash
How does it feel to be on the Philippine national team?
To be part of the national team is an honor. Many tried to be in the team but few, like me, were chosen. I am proud to represent my country.
What do you look for in a Nokia cell phone?
One with music, video, camera and games all rolled into one is a cool thing!
* * *
JOHN ALDRIN LUNAS
16 years old
Province: Pangasinan
School/Team: San Beda College
Playing position: Center
Height: 6’6”
Favorite team: Boston Celtics
Idol: Michael Jordan
How does it feel it be on the Philippine national team?
I am so lucky to be part of the national team because so many players like to be in my shoes; but the coaches got me!
What do you like about Nokia cell phones?
I like Nokia cell phone’s music (the number of songs the phone can handle), Internet capability, touch screen ability and the power of the camera.
* * *
JOSHUA ANGELO ALOLINO
15 years old
Province: Las Piñas
School/team: University of Perpetual Help, Rizal
Playing position: Point guard
Height: 5’11”
Favorite team: LA Lakers
Idol: Lebron James
How does it feel like to be on the national team?
It feels good to be part of the Nokia Pilipinas Youth team because every player is hoping and wishing that someday, he can represent his country. Being a part of this team is a dream come true for me and I am going to give my very best to make my country proud.
What do you like about Nokia cell phones?
My favorite Nokia phone features are video, camera, music and games. I like video and camera because I can record and take pictures of my happy moments and treasure them. I also like music and games because music can help me relax while games help me develop my awareness.
* * *
PAOLO LUIS ROMERO
15 years old
Province: Manila
School/team: Ateneo de Manila
Playing position: Forward, center
Height: 6’2”
Favorite team: LA Lakers
Idol: Michael Jordan
How does it feel to be on the Philippine national team?
Being part of the Philippine Youth team, the Nokia Pilipinas Under 16 Junior Men Basketball Team, is very overwhelming because I am already in the next level of basketball competition. From playing for the school, I am moving on to play for the country. This opportunity only come once in a lifetime and it should not be taken for granted.
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
My favorite Nokia phone features are the music and games because they are fun and relaxing.
* * *
KIEFER ISAAC RAVENA
15 years old
Province: Manila
School/Team: Ateneo de Manila
Playing position: Guard, forward
Height: 5’11”
Favorite team: LA Lakers (NBA), Talk N Text (PBA)
Idol: Lebron James and Kobe Bryant (NBA), Mac Cardona (PBA)
How does it feel to be part of the national team?
Being part of the Nokia Pilipinas RP Youth team is an honor. Many players want to be in my shoes right now but I was one of the 16 players who were lucky enough to be part of this team.
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
My favorite feature of a Nokia phone is its size. I want it to be thin and not big, that is why my favorite Nokia phone is the Nokia 6500 classic.
* * *
JERON ALVIN JENG
14 years old
Province: Manila
School/Team: Xavier School
Playing position: Forward
Height: 6’0”
Favorite team: Miami Heat
Idol: Dwyane Wade
How does it feel to be on the Philippine national team?
I am overwhelmed because out of the hundreds who tried out for the team, only 16 were chosen. It also entails a lot of responsibilities. We should prove that we deserve to be here in this team. We should be role models for other boys in our country.
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
My favorite features of a phone are its camera, music and games.
* * *
VON ROLFE PESSUMAL
16 years old
Province: Manila
School/Team: Ateneo de Manila/ Junior
Playing position: Small forward - Power forward
Height: 6’1”
Favorite team: Dallas Mavericks
Idol: Dirk Howitzki
What does it feel to be part of the national youth team?
Being part of the RP Youth team, better known as the Nokia Pilipinas Under 16 Junior Men Basketball team, is a privilege and an honor. It is very hard to cope with the numerous practices, yet I know that it is essential to us to practice hard everyday in order to represent our country in terms of basketball
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
My favorite feature is the camera. It is so convenient.
* * *
RAPHAEL ROMEO NAYVE
15 years old
Province: Davao
School/Team : San Beda College
Playing position: Guard, forward
Height: 6’1”
Favorite team: San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Talk N Text (PBA)
Idol: Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant
How does it feel like to be part of the national team?
It feels great. I feel proud and honored to represent the Philippines in international tournaments.
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
It is like an iPod and a digital camera all in a single gadget
* * *
ROLDAN SARA
16 years old
Province: Cagayan de Oro
School/Team: San Beda College
Playing position: Point guard, guard
Height: 5’9”
Favorite team: Detroit
Idol: Michael Jordan
How does it feel to be part of the Philippine national team?
I feel like a hero because I am carrying the name of my country. It gives me the pride and honor to bring the history of greatness of Philippine basketball.
What do you like about your Nokia cell phone?
I like my Nokia phone to have good music player capability and a camera with a Carl Zeiss lens.
* * *
KRISTOFFER ANGELO DE LA COSTA
15 years old
Province: Quezon
School/Team: San Beda College
Playing position: Forward
Height: 6’0
Favorite team: LA Lakers
Idol: Kobe Bryant
How does it feel like to be part of the Philippine national team?
For me, I am happy and honored to be part of this team because it is a privilege to train and play with the best young players in the country, as well as to represent the Philippines in international competitions.
What do you like about the Nokia cell phone?
My favorite Nokia phone features are the camera and its ability to play music. I like a powerful camera feature so I can capture candid moments. I like to be able to play music anytime I want because music helps me unwind while outside the house. I never leave the house without my Nokia phone.
