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| The Global Hoops Combine Skills Showcase is now underway. Ivan Saldajeno |
MANDALUYONG—Before their teams swing into action in the NBTC National Finals, some Filipino-foreign high school standouts get an early chance to showcase themselves to college team scouts this week in the Global Hoops Combine Skills Showcase.
The college prospects dropped by the Gatorade Hoops Center here to begin their weeklong showcase of how to impress the scouts.
Day 1 on Sunday was the combine itself, where the players' key athletic measurements were determined.
Before the combine proper, Nap Santos, the main man of Top Flight Sports, a Vancouver-based basketball club for young Filipino ballers, gave a talk to future Philippine basketball stars, emphasizing the need to be "coachable" to carve a successful basketball career.
"As coaches, we want the bring out the best of you," said Santos, who played for the Letran Knights during the mid-90s, eventually becoming teammates with the likes of Chris Calaguio and Willie Miller.
Santos also relayed the story of how NBA rising star Jalen Green remained friends with his teammates and opponents when he played in two NBTC seasons late last decade.
After the measurements came two mini-games where scouts from San Beda and National University as well as Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy got to see the Fil-foreigners in action.
Some more scouts are expected to drop by the Gatorade Hoops Center later this week as a mini-tournament pitting the Fil-foreign NBTC teams will happen.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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