MANILA, Philippines – Nike basketball athlete, Paul George, was in Manila to be the first mentor to the 24 players from #Rise, Nike’s first ever reality documentary and basketball development program.
George arrived on Sunday, July 19, and dropped in on local kids playing basketball at a tenement court, getting his first immersion into Pinoy streetball.
On July 20 George opened the House of Rise, the main training ground for Rise players, and introduced the 24 Rise players. The Rise players have embarked on a six-week journey of high-level basketball training from professional coaches led by former Gilas head coach Chot Reyes and former national player now Talk ‘N Text team manager Jimmy Alapag.
Since July 15, the Rise players have been living like a Nike athlete – professional training every day consisting of skills drills and strength and conditioning workouts. Training is conducted by Nike Rise coaching staff led by Coach Chot. They will be aided by elevated training tools that will help them analyze their game and get better at it, raise their level through speed, shooting and defensive exercises, and be motivated by athletes who will share their own Rise stories.
The Rise players have been equipped with the best Nike Basketball product innovations that include both training apparel and footwear. For supporters and fans, the Nike Rise collection of tees and signature athlete shoes will be available at selected Nike stores beginning July 2015.
“There is no lack of basketball talent in the Philippines. But there may be a lack of opportunity. Every basketball player wants to reach new heights in his game so he can bring his game out there and reach his or her basketball dream. Nike wants to help them get out of their comfort zone so they can make that next step that will make them rise to the top of their game. By providing them with a professionally run basketball program and product innovations to support them, they can hopefully make their dreams come true,”said Patrick Reyes, Country Marketing Manager of Nike Philippines.
The audience can follow the 24 kids on their Rise journey until the final 12 players that comprise the Rise Team are chosen over TV5, every Sunday starting July. For behind-the-scenes and additional training content, go to Nike.com. Keep track of online content through #Rise.
Below is the list of the 24 Rise players and their hometowns:
- Andaya, Algin – Navotas
- Andres, Steven Art – Pandacan
- Beltran, Jharrel – Ifugao
- Binarao, Jullius – Olongapo
- Bulan, Jude – Cebu
- Cayabyab, Kristine – Dagupan
- Cilot, Kenric – Muntinlupa
- Contado, Danilo – Cebu
- Corpuz, Joseph – Davao
- Deocera, Nelson – Pampanga
- Espinas, Rossini Briana – Davao
- Fernandez, John Paul – Manila
- Fudotan, Dean – Laguna
- Jackson, Paul Reginald – Olongapo
- Manuel, Ren Kenneth – Novaliches
- Marabe, Jair Borne – Tacloban
- Perez, Christopher – Olongapo
- Pingol, Michael Angelo – Cavite
- Pino, Kherlie – Cebu
- Teves, Michael – Cebu
- Tobilla, John Lester – Leyte
- Torbeles, Norman – Manila
- Villanueva, John Lennon – Manila
- Vinasoy, Roland Patrick – Makati