CRAIG HODGES: THE FIRST NBA LEGEND TO HOLD BASKETBALL TRAINING IN SORSOGON!

It was a dream come true for every basketeer to have a face-to-face training with the king of the ring, Craig Hodges. Such desire become a reality  during the  Hodge on Hoops Philippine Tour 2012 entitled:  The Power of Effective Shooting, a basketball clinic held in Sorsogon City last April 20 to  21 this year. 

Craig Hodges atop of a pick-up car during the motorcade

A candid photo with the excited kids of BAS

  It was participated in by more or less 300 kids who passionately enjoyed  the shooting clinic conducted by an NBA legend - Craig Hodges.

“I brought two championship to Chicago but  was never welcomed  this way.” Said by Craig Hodges as he was overwhelmed by a very warm welcome given to him by the Sorsoganons.

Immediately after his first step in Sorsogon, he was paraded along the city proper convoyed by 21 cars with enjoying BAS kids and parents who are rejoicing as it is their  first time to be visited by an NBA basketball icon.

The kids as they listen to an inspiring message of Team Hodge

He then proceeded to Villa Isabel for a press conference by 35 mediamen coming from 11 radio and  tv stations  from the province of Sorsogon. Representatives from the three print media were there also enjoying every answer Hodges is throwing  to them.

Mr. Hodges with Kevin Gray (left) during the press conference

Craig Hodges, a two-time champion (Chicago Bulls) in NBA, 3-time NBA 3-point Shoot-out and a former shooting coach of LA Lakes  stressed the importance of grass-root development so that Filipinos can develop better basketball program for the youth. He then pointed out that basketball is not all about heights but the most important thing is improving shooting skills.

A message from Sal Gupilan Jr and Craig Hodges

The 10-man Team Hodge, with Coach Dayong Mendoza and his coaching staff has imparted  scientific techniques and valuable inspiration to  Sorsogon basketball in this two day sports clinic brought by the LEaD (Lee, Escudero and Dioneda) Integrated Sports Program, Basketball Academy of Sorsogon and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas – Sorsogon Chapter.

Craig Hodges is giving his thoughts and wisdom to the young basketeers

The provincial gym was filled with entertainment especially at night when the black American clinicians displayed impressive power lay-ups and dunks. Craig  Hodges showed his accurate shooting powers.

In the second day, Craig Hodges went to Basia Auditorium, Bacon, Sorsogon City. There, the participants were almost doubled as they intensely wanted a first hand training from an NBA legend.

Kevin Gray, Hodge promoter extended his huge thanks to Sorsogon City for giving them such appreciation by the Sorsoganon.

A luncheon moment sponosred by Mr. Michael Sulit

“If not to  Mayor Leovic Dioneda, Cong. Sonny Escudero and Gov. Raul Lee with Mr. Michael Sulit, we were not able to bring and mark a history in basketball here in our province. From this day, any  participant  had a very significant stories to tell to his  children and grand children that there was a time Sorsogon was visited by an NBA Icon – Craig Hodges... and I was trained by him.” Said by Mr. Edgar Balasta, the project director of LEaD.

A photo session of  the kids with Craig Hodges

Craig Hodge event is the first project of the LEaD Integrated Sports Program aimed at providing Sorsogon a sustainable sports development program to help uplift sports performance of the athletes of the province.

Craig Hodges, inculcated the basics of shooting as he wanted every young child to memorize it, “Foundation, form, follow through.” These are the three words the three-pint shoot king left to the Sorsoganons.

Craig Hodges and Sir Ed Balasta photo session

Later, he proceeded to Naga City for a similar clinic and went to Metro Manila for his University tour. A week after, a news in Manila Bulletin came out that he is under a negotiation for coaching consultancy in San Miguel Beer team in Philippine Basketball Association. 

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