INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? Coming off an impressive outing in a four-nation pocket tournament last week, the Nokia U-16 Team Pilipinas will kick off its Fiba-Asia U16 Championship campaign at the Bandaraya Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia Thursday oozing with confidence.

The Nationals, led by Ateneo?s Kiefer Ravena and Cris Tolomia of FEU, will collide with a Japanese squad whose core the Philippines defeated twice in that tune-up series held in Cebu City.

But the Filipinos, who are also bunched with Bahrain and Kazakhstan in Group B, should not feel complacent in tournament where two tickets to the 2010 Fiba U-17 World Championship in Hamburg, Germany are at stake.

Japan has held its cards close to its chest and would reveal another addition in the lineup to give starters Ryo Tawatari, 6-foot-5 Yoto Aretami, 6-foot-7 Kosute Hasimoto and the 6-foot-4 Taiki Uehara a needed lift.

Japanese officials have refused to divulge the name of the point guard until the Team Managers? Meeting set later in the day.

RP coach Eric Altamirano, however, remained undaunted, believing that something good would come out of the team?s preparation punctuated by the stunning victory over Iran in the finals of the pocket tournament.

``Our boys are in high spirits,?? said Altamirano, whose team clobbered the Japanese, 71-59, in the mini tournament.

``The Japanese may be dangerous, but based on what they?ve shown in Cebu and in our last few practices, I?m confident something good is about to unfold,?? added Altamirano.

Besides Ravena, who bagged the MVP award in the exhibition series, Altamirano will also count on Jeron Teng, Von Pessumal, Angelo Alolino, Paolo Romero, Dan Sara and Tolomia.

After Japan, the Philippines faces Kazakhstan Friday and Bahrain on Saturday. The quarterfinals will unfold Sunday with China, Iran, Korea and Lebanon anticipated to top their respective groupings.

``We have to play each game as if it?s our last. The Cebu leg is a good start but we still have to work doubly hard to make it into the next round and hopefully, into the finals,?? said RP team manager Joel Lopa.