AirAsia, Patriots hold cage clinic

MANILA, Philippines - Over 200 kids took part in the final leg of the three-month long basketball clinic conducted by the AirAsia Philippine Patriots and the AirAsia crew at the Angeles University Foundation Integrated School gym over the weekend.

The event turned out to be a mini-family day with kids and parents learning the rudiments of the game from AirAsia, the leading low-cost carrier in Asia, and the Phl Patriots.

For the kids, the one-of-a-kind basketball workshop served as an early Christmas present from AirAsia and the Patriots. The morning basketball workshop last Dec. 10 started with passing and dribbling techniques for ages 6-12 while the afternoon sessions were designed to improve shooting and passing skills of participants aged 13 and above.

“This is our way of giving back to the community. We have been going around to different communities in Clark, Caloocan and Quezon City since October and we are overwhelmed by the kids’ enthusiasm and energy,” said PBA Hall of Famer import Billy Ray Bates.

Bates, who serves as the Patriots’ skills coach, conducted the clinic along with Phl Patriots’ Marcy Arellano, Warren Ybanez, Al Vergara, Rob Wainright and Jonathan Fernandez.

“More than mastering the skills of the game, we hope that these young boys and girls learn the importance of discipline, hard work and other values in sports which will come in handy when they grow up,” said Bates.

The highlight of the event was the awarding of a pair of free round-trip AirAsia Clark to Kuala Lumpur tickets to Danilo Suarez, picked as the most promising player among the participants.