Jed Colonia of Ateneo de Cebu challenges the defense of the University of Cebu in this September 2015 photo of a Cesafi juniors game at the Cebu Coliseum. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Colonia also in NBTC All-Star team together with fellow Cebuano Cabahug
Reigning Cesafi juniors MVP Jed Colonia of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu earned another notch in his belt as he snagged one of the slots in the prestigious SM National Basketball Training Center All-Star Game, which will be held on March 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The feat was a remarkable one considering that over 40 of the best players from across the nation, including several from traditional powerhouse schools such as San Beda, La Salle and Xavier, tried out to make the two teams.
The selection process was overseen by NBTC officials Ato Badolato, Michael Oliver, Alex Compton, and Eric Altamirano.
Colonia is joined on the All Star squad by another Cebuano, the University of the Visayas’s high-scoring star Jancork Cabahug. It was previously mentioned in an earlier report (not from this paper) that Cabahug was the lone Cebuano to have made the squad.
Reached for an interview, the lanky former Philippine Youth Team member said that he was excited at the prospect of playing with and against some of the best high school players in the country and that the experience of trying out was already a learning experience in itself.
“It feels great to be part of the NBTC All-Star game. It was a learning experience playing with the great players from all around the country. I learned a lot of things from the coaches and the players there,” shared Colonia in an exclusive talk with Cebu Daily News.
The NBTC All Star Game is part of the near week-long national championship tournament which will see Cebu teams Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu and PAREF-Springdale compete against the very best high school teams in the land.
The Magis Eagles, led by Colonia, Andrew Velasco, Travis Mantua and Cebu leg Most Outstanding Player Errol Pastor, are seeking a second straight title after stunning the famed San Beda Red Cubs in the finals last year.
The NBTC is a nationwide grassroots program under the auspices of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that aims to identify, prepare, and develop outstanding players from public and private schools nationwide.
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