The youngsters were taught the basics of the sport under the instructions of former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player and Duterte Agilas-Goldstar Hardware coaching staff member Cadel Mosqueda with Bert Malinao as assistant clinician.
Aside from teaching the kids the correct way to dribble, shoot and pass the ball, they also received tips on how to create simple plays in actual games.
"We taught them the basics of the sport," said Mosqueda, who last suited up for Purefoods in the pro league.
So far, more than 8,000 boys and girls have joined the free clinic conducted in various Barangays in Davao City .
City Sports Coordinator Christopher "Bong" Go said that the clinic, initiated by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is conducted to give the youth an avenue to engage in sports at an early age.
Go added that Mayor Duterte wants the children to be in sports and looks forward for them to see action in the Duterte Basketball League (DBL).
Meanwhile, incorporated also to the clinic were the volleyball and badminton lessons to cater to the women sector of the barangay.
Multi-titled coaches Iking Tomines of volleyball and Jethra Villanueva of badminton handled the clinics.
The clinic is a component of the DBL that organized tournaments for Christians, Muslims and Lumads in the city.
Malinao said that the second batch will be taught the free lessons next month.
The free basketball lessons have reached barangays Calinan, Lapu-Lapu, Matina Aplaya, Toril, Buhangin, 76-A, Maa, Mini Forest, 5-A, Bunawan, Lasang, Mintal, Aquino, Fatima, Waan, Sasa, Catalunan Grande, Lizada, Baguio, Marilog, Cabantian, Malabog, Sirawan, Baganihan, Mandug, Indangan, Tugbok, Malabog, 10, 11, 12, Catalunan Peque 33, 35, 36, 38, Talomo, Ilang, Eden, 1-A, Malagos, Tibungco, Camp Catitipan, 25, SIR, Dacoville, Dumoy, Bago Aplaya, Talandang, Pandaitan, Pampanga, Manambulan, San Isidro, Baguio, Lubogan, 32-D and 24-C. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)
