BANTING CITY, Malaysia—The Energen Pilipinas Under-16 Youth Team is heavily favored to win the 1st Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) U16 for Men championship which gets going here Tuesday.
The young nationals—assembled by new national youth coach Olsen Racela from a pool of high school standouts early this year—left yesterday for the host city, 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur.
“It’s a pretty solid squad and I’m sure we’ll be competitive,” said Racela, the former San Miguel Beer top guard, who retired recently.
“I’ve always believed that we have enough talent in the Energen Pilipinas pool to compete in the Seaba level. We will go out there and give it our all.”
Bannered by San Beda’s Arvin Tolentino and Ranbill Tongco, the Philippines kicks off its bid in the five-nation tournament against host Malaysia at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kuala Langat Gym.
Lined up next is Indonesia at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, followed by a one-day break.
The squad resumes its bid against Laos at 2 p.m. on Friday, then closes its campaign versus Singapore at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The winner of the single-round tournament will earn the right to represent the region in the Fiba Asia U-16 tournament on Oct. 18 to 28 in Vietnam.
“Our goal is really to qualify for the Fiba Asia,” said Racela.
Rounding out the Philippine team are Gelo Vito, Hubert Cani, Jay Javelosa, Daryl Pascual, Gideon Babilonia, Rev Diputado, Henry Asilum, Kyles Lao and the Filipino-American Louie Brill.
Earl Murphy took the spot of the other Filipino-American, Nick Dalafu, who was sidelined due to dengue.
“It’s a sorry development, especially since [Dalafu] was really excited about representing the country,” said Racela.
“He was practicing with us until yesterday when we noticed he was pale so we had him checked.”
Listed as reserves are Andrei Caracut and Isaac Go.