Over 350 young basketball enthusiasts from Apalit, Pampanga, joined a special Basketball Clinic led by multi-titled player and coach Norman Black, Head of the Grassroots Program for Player Identification and Development of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and SEA Games head coach of the gold medal–winning GILAS Pilipinas team in 2025.

According to SBP Regional Director for Central Luzon Gil Cortez, the clinic was “a meaningful opportunity to develop young talents and strengthen grassroots basketball in the region.”

The event also featured respected basketball figures Larry Fonacier, Beaujing Acot, and Dean Castaño, along with accredited coaches from the Region 3 Coaches Academy.

Cortez expressed gratitude to the Apalit local government unit for hosting the activity, saying: “Special thanks to my friends Mayor Jun Tetangco, Vice Mayor Peter Nucom, and Municipal Administrator Glenn Danting for their continued support to youth sports and basketball development.”

Also in attendance were Dodo Catacutan, editor-in-chief of SPIN.ph, and Jhun Mutuc of Balibago Waterworks System Inc. Cortez concluded: “Together, we continue to grow the game and inspire the next generation of Filipino basketball players.”