MANILA -- The Small Basketeers of the Philippines (SBP) Passerelle, a grassroots program that has produced some of the country's brightest basketball stars, is set to make a comeback in October.

The Best Center has partnered with a popular powdered chocolate drink to launch the basketball clinic, which has produced stars like brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena and the Ildefonso siblings, Dave and Shaun, among others.

Former UAAP stars Larry Fonacier and Wesley Gonzales are also among its notable graduates.

The Best Center temporarily ceased operations during the pandemic, which dealt a huge blow to the grassroots program, according to Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy.

"Nakakalungkot nung tumigil sila nung pandemic, but they are very crucial to our grassroots program here in our country. They organize tournaments very well, and their rules are very much in line with what we want to do and how we want to develop basketball in the Philippines," she said.

After renewing their partnership with the popular chocolate powdered drink, the SBP Passerelle tournaments and clinics are set to return.

"Nabigyan ako ng tsansa na matuto mag-dribble, matuto mag-shoot, at matuto mag-rebound," said Gonzales of the program, which is now on its 35th year. "It was the first formal program to teach me how to play basketball the right way. The SBP and Passerelle days were the happiest days of my basketball career."

Mozzy Ravena praised the program for teaching her sons about more than just basketball.

"It's also where they learned discipline," said Ravena. "It's the beginning of where they understood na ang sports may kasamang disiplina. Kasi bawal shorts na mahaba, bawal shorts na maiksi. Alam niyo naman si Thirdy, gusto niya iba siya, pero doon, bawal. Kailangan mag-conform."

Ren Ildefonso, meanwhile, emphasized that beyond learning skills, the program instilled a winning mentality.

"Nakikita ko lang sa mga bata, ang isang na-instill sa kanila is that they can be champions on and off the court," Ren said.