ST. JOHN’S Institute mainstay Daniel Coo of Bacolod City was named as Visayas Most Outstanding Player for the U16 category in the first-ever Elite 60 Development Camp held at the Colegio de San Agustin Gym in Makati City.
Coo was among the 60 best high school basketball players throughout the country gathered in Manila for the said event.
With Coo in the U16 were Ralph Angelo Panlilio from Pangasinan; Leonardo Villanueva from Zamboanga; Justine Sanchez, Justine Biag, Cris Lawrence Castañeda, and Muro Ami Fermin from Tarlac; Cyrian Boniao and Kent Gelogo from Cagayan de Oro; Rey Tristan Fuentes, Christian Rafael Manulat, Leobert Casinillo, Anskie Espina, Lowell Chan, Michael Jhaye Jordan, and John Edward Aguilar from Cebu; and Darren Sytin, Joaquin Jaymalin, Jonas Salandanan, Miguel Sahali, Gabriel Reyes, Ernest John Felicilda, Jorick Kyle Bautista, King Balaga, King Vinoya, Lloyd Oliva and Jessie Arciaga from Manila.
“I am very proud of the achievement of Daniel. He came home with three trophies being named outstanding player from the Visayas, Mythical 5, and member of the Elite 60 All-Stars,” said Dennis Coo, father of Daniel.
The elder Coo added that his son’s stint as member of the Batang Gilas pool helped him a lot in terms of experience and maturity.
“I hope this will encourage him to train seriously as he was also selected as part of the Philippine basketball team to the 9th Asean School Games scheduled July 13 to 21 in Singapore,” he added.
Camp director and former Philippine National Youth Team coach Eric Altamirano said the Elite 60 Development Camp (EDC) is designed to identify young talent who will be earmarked for the national team.
“The EDC program is designed to give others a chance to be seen when they otherwise will not be noticed. We just have so much talent all over the country. This program will enhance our national teams and provide opportunities and fuel dreams of kids in the provinces,” he added.
Australian coach Rob Beveridge, who has once mentored Australia as well as in the Chinese Basketball Association, said he believes that Filipino basketball players are among the most talented.
“Their capacity to learn is incredible. If we can really start them out early with good knowledge of the game, this will serve them well as they proceed to the next higher level”, he added.
Also featured during the camp were players in the Under-18.
The Elite 60 Development Camp is an official grassroots program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas with support from the MVP (Most Valuable Player) Sports Foundation. (HGD)