Women’s national team conducts basketball clinic in Subic Freeport

The Discovery Perlas ng Pilipinas national women’s basketball team conducted a three-day basketball clinic at the Subic Bay Gym on June 6-8 in an effort to promote the game among youngsters and develop better players among the youth.

The clinic was open for both boys and girls aged 15 and below, who wanted to learn the basics of the country’s most popular ball game.

Haydee Ong, head coach of Discovery Perlas, said the women’s team is making the rounds and conducting basketball clinics all over the country in the hope of finding future national players.

“We want to promote basketball and also women’s basketball. Pero para maiba naman, sa halip na ‘yung mga lalake ang magtuturo, babae naman,” she said.

“It’s also our own way of giving back something to the young basketball fans,” she added.

Hundreds of young basketball enthusiasts from Olongapo City and the Subic Bay area attended the clinic, grabbing at the chance to be mentored by members of a national team.

“Enjoy kami, at maraming natutunan, tulad ng defense at proper dribbling,” said Gabriel Dimaano, 12, who hurried to the Subic Gym right after classes at the St. Joseph’s High School in Olongapo.

Kid brother, Daniel, 11, admitted that the training was a little bit hard to a beginner like him, but he also enjoyed the clinic because it was fun.

While only a few girls joined the training, Ong said it was good enough that they were able to spread awareness regarding women’s basketball.

“Gusto namin siyempre na makahanap kami ng women players sa mga clinic. Kahit mga dalawa o tatlo para may ma-develop,” she said.

Ong added that the team has coordinated its clinic schedules with government units in order to gain support for the basketball clinic program.

“Nagkausap na kami ng mga local government unit katulad nung kay Governor Imee (Marcos) sa Ilocos, then sa Bacolod and Bataan, so hopefully this year makakatapos kami ng six or ten clinics,” she stated.

Ong said the Discovery Perlas team has been together for several years now, and has proudly represented the country in several international events. The team is also set to compete in an invitational tournament this November. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Members of the national women’s basketball team coach aspiring players on the basics of the game at the Subic Bay Freeport.