With the countrys success at the recent South East Asian Games there has been renewed interest invthe local sports scene especially in basketball. 
In a bid to encourage more Filipino youth to cultivate a passion for sports, undisputed mobile leader Smart Communications introduced 10 outstanding basketball players from the National Collegiate Athletics Association into its roster of sports ambassadors known as the “Smart Elite.”
Inducted into the prestigious group was NCAA Season 88 Finals MVP Baser Amer of San Beda College, who is determined to help the Red Lions get its sixth straight basketball championship this year, the league’s 91st season.
Also named into the Smart Elite were Season 90 MVP Earl Scottie Thompson of University of Perpetual Help and Jiovani Jalalon of Arellano University.
Amer, Thompson, and Jalalon were part of the Sinag Pilipinas team that won the gold medal for men’s basketball at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
Completing the group are Rey Nambatac of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jonathan Grey of De La Sane-College of Saint Benilde, Francis Munsayac of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Tey Teodoro ofJose Rizal University, Joseph Gabayni of Lyceum of the Philippines University, Andretti Stevens of Mapua Institute of Technology, and Bradwyn Guinto of San Sebastian College.
“They are the future of local or maybe even international basketball, so we want to make sure theybare recognized,” says Epok Quimpo Sports Marketing Manager for Smart.
Quimpo says Smart will be closely working with them and their schools to make sure that they not only continue to improve their skills but also do well in their studies.
“We encourage young Filipinos to take inspiration from these athletes who have displayed outstanding basketball skills and fierce passion for the sport,” said Smart EVP and consumer business head Ariel P. Fermin.
“We support the Smart Elite as they continue to live more by pursuing their passion, in the same way that we are enabling millions of Filipinos to fully enjoy their passions — be it music, films, urban living, or sports ‘— through meaningful innovations. This is what the Smart Life is all about,” he added.
NCAA fans can catch games wherever they are by using their mobile devices to view the official livestream at the ABS-CBN Sports site (sports.abs-cbn.com). Smart, along with PLDT Home, partnered with ABS-CBN for online livestreaming of NCAA events to enable more Filipinos to live the “Smart Life” by using digital innovations to enjoy their passions more.
Smart is a staunch supporter of sports development in the Philippines. It is a major sponsor in this year’s NCAA, and has backed national teams like Gilas Pilipinas, Sinag Pilipinas, and the Azkals, as well as the activities of various sports organizations. lts chairman Manny V. Pangilinan is known as one of the country’s foremost sports patrons.
