Coca-Cola joins forces with PBA to inspire Young Stars

For Coca-Cola, every Pinoy teen is a young star. And what does every young star need to realize his utmost potentials? The greatest of ambitions, the right attitude and a healthy mind and body.

Recognizing its power to shape up a happier and even more exciting future for the Filipino youth, Coca-Cola recently instigated a partnership with the country’s premier sports organization, the Philippine Basketball Association, to bring to life Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars, an exciting new league that aims to promote the value of leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

PBA Commissioner Chito Salud and Powerade Team Governor Ronnie Asuncion signed a three-year MOA for the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars league. During the press conference to officially launch the partnership held recently, Asuncion shared his enthusiasm over the initiative. “We are very grateful for this opportunity to reach out to the Filipino youth in collaboration with the country’s premier sports organization. Through the Coca-Cola PBA Young Stars League, we will be able to directly share in the PBA’s vision of encouraging the Filipino youth to become good citizens through sportsmanship, honesty and integrity,” he said.

Kicked off hand in hand with its continuing centennial celebration in the Philippines, this initiative engages the Pinoy youth to open up fresh and fun possibilities through a brand new basketball league, which shall unfold nationwide. Through this effort, the youth will be able to channel their unmatched energy into something positive while showcasing their skills in one of the best-loved sports in the country.

The tournament, which will officially open on May 2, is open to young cagers aged 13 to 16 years old. Try outs are now currently scheduled with an estimated three localities in each region. An estimated 1,500 players this summer will pit against each other and end via a National Finals Game slated May 27, 2012.

As the Coca-Cola PBA Youngstars shall take the place of the Coca-Cola Hoopla and Batang PBA programs, this new grassroots program will be integrated to their initiatives. Players will be coming from all over the Philippines. In the nationals there will be only two teams left from NCR and one each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The partnership with the PBA is one of the many ways Coca-Cola hopes to give back to the Filipinos who have welcomed the brand and the company into their hearts and their homes for the past 100 years. Together with the youth who will directly benefit from this project, the brand is fully committed in steering them into creating a better Philippines in the near future.

At this day and age when the Pinoy youth spend most of their time in cyberspace more than the basketball court or any other arena that fosters real interaction and camaraderie, the Coca-Cola PBA Young Stars is but a refreshing break and a timely start to mold the young to becoming responsible citizens in the future.

To get the latest updates visit the official website at coca-cola.com.ph, the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/presidentforhappiness, or follow @Coke_HappyPrez on Twitter at www.twitter.com/coke_happyprez