Three of the country’s brightest young basketball prospects are set to represent the Philippines in the 15th Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Asia Camp, happening June 19 to 22 in Singapore.
Rob Celiz, Paul Barcelona, and Zaydhen Rosano were selected to join 60 of the top boys and girls aged 17 and under from across the Asia-Pacific region for the elite development program organized by the NBA and FIBA.
This year’s BWB Asia edition will be part of the NBA’s multiday basketball and entertainment festival in Singapore, culminating in the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational from June 25 to 29.
[ALSO READ: Domantas Sabonis joins Yao Ming, Lauren Jackson in NBA Rising Stars Invitational guest list]
Celiz, a standout guard from National University Nazareth School (NUNS), helped power the Bullpups to the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Invitational – Philippine Qualifiers title, dominating UST in a 101–75 rout in a rematch of their UAAP juniors finals showdown.
Rosano, also from NUNS, will represent the Philippines in the girls’ division. She was instrumental in the Lady Bullpups’ 107–49 blowout win over La Salle College Antipolo to punch their ticket to Singapore.
[ALSO READ: NUNS braces for tough challenge as Rising Stars Invitational field takes shape]
Barcelona, representing Bacolod Tay Tung High School, earned his spot after helping Western Visayas to a silver-medal finish in the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
[ALSO READ: Palarong Pambansa: Davao dominates Western Visayas to rule secondary boy’s basketball event]
Region VI’s Cinderella run included upsets over defending champion NCR in the quarterfinals and CALABARZON in the semifinals.
This year’s BWB mentors include 2024 champion Derrick White of the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, Portland Trail Blazers big man Duop Reath, along with WNBA legend and 2025 FIBA Hall of Fame inductee Ticha Penicheiro.
Several NBA assistant coaches such as Jared Dudley, Ronald Nored, and Vinay Bhavnani will also lead on-court instruction and development sessions.
Filipino BWB alumni include Kai Sotto, Andy Gemao, and Kieffer Alas. Now, Celiz, Rosano, and Barcelona are ready to carry that legacy forward — and make the country proud on one of youth basketball’s biggest stage.
[ALSO READ: News Basketball Without Borders a great opportunity for Filipino player Andy Gemao, says Mark Tatum]
