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Coleton "Coco" Clemente:
6'2 - SF/SG - Rockland, NY [HS - Rockland High, Varsity]
Emerging as one of TLC's top scorers, this youngster wasn't able to participate with NYCE in their Birth Run in the first MITY, but looks to be the final piece to this already bombsquad roster. His gaurd-like abilities for a forward's height make him a matchup problem for whatever division he plays. Suprisingly, its not his offensive capabilities that are cultivating his respect, but his ability to lockup standout players on the opposing team. If Coco does show up to MITY for NYCE's 2nd Coming, God help anybody that starts droppin buckets. During Labor Day weekend, Coco made it to the championship twice, falling to Toronto in '06 and Scarborough in '07. In every other NABA, he's been to the semi's, being eliminated by Arch Rival Dolce-Toronto.
Carlo "Big Black" DeChavez:
6'1 - PF/C - West Orange, NJ [HS - West Orange High, Varsity]
As a freshman, he played big minutes and had a strong role for his HS's Varsity team, and was seen running with some of the old school DABU players in Nutley-Hoopsville. Carlo is emerging as one of the top fil-am prospects on the east coast, as he is another player developing guard skills in a bigman's body. Growing up, playing in his age division he was a threat in the lowpost but in the recent spring-summer season, Carlo's been developing his pullup midrange and 3-balls, extending his offensive arsenal. In NABA, Carlo's made it to the championship twice out of his 4 year NABA career.
AJ Pizon: AJ Pizon -
5'8 - SG - Bergenfield, NJ [HS - Paramus Catholic, JV/Varsity]
Aj's stature as a pinoy baller has been improving immensely as the years have been coming along. His recognition boomed after he led his underdog and undermanned North Jersey Bantam team to 3rd place in NABA 2007, fighting through a very competitive Bantam division. With two 3rd places, a Junior Division Championship, and an MVP award in a 3 year NABA career, AJ's proven that he's one of the top prospects his age and one of the centerpieces to this NYCE roster. God help the poor soul that will put his career on the line if he is given AJ as a defensive assignment.
Mike Palacios: Mike Palacios -
6'1 - C/PF - Brooklyn, NY [HS - St. Edmund Prep, JV]
Mike is a seasoned veteran. You cant assemble an allstar team of 16 yr olds without including this remarkable individual. I've seen this athlete since he was 12 years old, making every kind of big play possible, weather it had been a defensive assignment, clutch boxouts and rebounds, and most importantly, TIMELY baskets in BIGTIME games. Mike will most likely take care of the bigman responsibilities being he has the more polished bigman game on both ends of the basketball. Another veteran whose seen the losing end to the Canadian teams in NABA, the warrior in his soul comes from his dad.
Jonathan 'Penny' Penalosa:
5'5 - PG - Brooklyn, NY [HS - St. Edmund Prep, JV]
As returning Point guard from last years championship team, Penny will be playing the 'Rajon Rondo' role distributing the ball to the players of this allstar roster. Known for his defensive specialties, Penny's familiarity with all the players give him the respect he has when getting down to business and winning basketball games. A young but seasoned veteran, Penny's crudentials (Two 2nd places in 4 years) in his NABA career speak for his game and leadership. Stepping his offense aside, its his vocal role that will be crucial in NYCE's run to a repeat, as the PG Court General for NYCE.Ranier "Rain Man" Garcia:
5'8 - PG/SG - New Milford, NJ [Paramus Catholic, JV]
I was very privileged to have been given the opportunity to coach this versatile athlete over the summer. A combo guard, that could handle the ball, has a soft midrange touch and could score in the paint. He's an allstar in his own right for his value in building around franchise players.A relentless scorer, and a killer instinct with that 'die-with-my-finger-on-the-trigger" swag. His young NABA career has proven to be very successfull, winning 3rd place and then 2nd place in just 2 years, playing in the Bantam division. Despite being Rain Man's first year on NYCE, teams shouldn't sleep on this silent assassin.
Juan "Juan-ton" Juarez:
5'10 - SF/PF- Trenton, NJ [HS - Notre Dame Prep, JV]
One of those players you love to have. A consistent hardworker with a high basketball IQ. Juan is a major asset to any team he suits up for. Humble but with a strong heart to win, i've seen Juan develope as the years went by and he has turned himself into one of the most reliable guard-forwards his age. His understanding of the game and his ability to accept his role on every team makes him a very likable individual. Like many NYCE allstars, Juan has tasted the NABA championship game, but not the actual Championship Hardware.
John Labrador:
5'10-SF/SG - NJ [HS - Seton Hall Prep, Varsity]
Another longtime veteran. John's been through every type of ball game through his experiences in NABA. A natural SG, he is able to defend the 3-4-5 with his size. John is also one of those silent killers that teams tend to sleep on, in which they learn who he is the hard way, weather he's attacking the rim drawing contact, or pullin it from behind the arc. From first day exits to numerous championship appearences at NABA, John's resume as a pinoy baller make him a very well decorated allstar his age in the tri-state.
Jeremiah Valmadrid:
5'5 - PG/SG - Scarborough, Toronto-Canada [HS- Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary, JV]
One of the guest players on NYCE this year, and one of the first Canadian players to suit up for an American Allstar team. Jeremiah is one of the fiercest and most decorated Pinoy guards in Eastern Canada. Another player i've taken notice of since he was a peewee at 12 years old, his uptemp game and athletic abilities on both ends of the basketball adds incredible depth to the NYCE guard rotation. Another youthful veteran from NABA, Jeremiah's experience from his peewee years, to his 2nd place performance, losing to AJ in the Junior Division Championship, will be vital to NYCE's success this year.
Jenno Almasol:
5'5 - PG/SG - Durham, Toronto-Canada [HS - Notre Dame Secondary, JV]
Jenno is my other Fil-Can invitee to participate with my NYC Elite allstar team. Jenno caught many eyes in NABA 2005 when he was a peewee. People were in awe of his ability to handle the ball, with his speed and quickness as well as his scorching shooting touch. Jenno's carried on and even elevated his game to not only being one of, if not, the top Fil-Can PG his age, but also one of the leading PG's in his High school division. One of the NABA community household names, Jenno's credentials in NABA make him one of the most feared PG's in Filipino Canadian and American basketball his age.
Chris Barsatan:
- 5'8 - SG/SF - Bergenfield, NJ [Bergenfield, Varsity]
Chris has the high player value and the "silent assassin" swag like Ranier 'Rain Man' Garcia. A player you would want for his high basketball IQ. His skills as a ball player caught my attention when i coached him for the first time for North Jersey in our scrimmage vs. SIPAG-NYC. Simple, but deadly. Chris was a no brainer to be a late addition to the NYCE allstar squad and i am looking very much forward to coaching him in the long run.
Kevin DiMaano: (no pic) 6'1 - C/PF- Brooklyn, NY [HS - A. Lincoln High, JV]
With no experience in Filipino or Asian basketball, Kevin was picked up for his enforcer skills. Most likely the strongest player on the team, his game on the hardwood outside of Filipino basketball will be vital, playing the enforcer roll with his park and football experience. Picture him as a more flexible 'Big Baby Davis' type. A tank. Have fun trying to take him on the post.
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Injury Replacements:
Eliezer Galang - 5'11 - SG - Staten Island, NY [HS - Petrides High, Varsity]
John Alovera - 5'4 - SG - Staten Island, NY [HS- St. Peters, Frosh]
Max Baria - 6'4 - C - Bergenfield, NJ [Hs- Paramus High, JV]
Mark Hernandez - 5'8 - PG - Paramus, NJ [HS- Paramus High, JV]
Royce Rebustillo - 5'10 - SF/C - Bergenfield, NJ [HS-Bergenfield, JV]
Julius Rodriguez - 6'0 - PG/SF - Bergenfield, NJ [HS-Bergenfield, Varsity]
Kevin Pineda - 5'11 - SF - Bergenfield, NJ [HS-Bergenfield, JV]
