THE PHILIPPINE Under-18 team pulled off a historic feat as the young Nationals slipped past India, 21-19, in the finals to capture the Fiba Asia U18 3×3 championship Friday night in Bangkok.
By winning the title, the Philippine team of Arvin Tolentino, Prince Rivero, Thirdy Ravena, Kobe Paras and coach John Flores earned the right to represent the region in the Fiba World U18 3×3 this September in Jakarta.
The feat marks the first time in over 30 years that a Philippine basketball team has reached a world championship.
“We are overwhelmed,” the 17-year-old Ravena, who also plays for the Ateneo juniors team, said in an interview with the Fiba Asia website. “We didn’t really think we could go all the way.”
The Fiba World U18 3×3 is set on Sept. 27 to 29 with the United States and other European countries as favorites.
“We worked really hard for this,” said Tolentino, a 6-foot-5 San Beda juniors standout.
The Filipinos stunned China, 22-18, in the semifinals after surviving another gritty contest against Japan, 21-18, in the quarterfinals.
“We were really scared of the Chinese because of their size and height,” said the 6-foot-4 Rivero, who plays for La Salle Green Hills along with Paras.
The last time a Philippine team competed in the world stage was in 1978 when Manila hosted the World Championship where the country wound up eighth place.