Filipino U16 bets pace stats race

BANTING CITY, Malaysia—Aside from virtually clinching the crown , the Energen Pilipinas Under-16 boys are also leading the pack in the individual statistical race in the 1st Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) U16 for Men here.

Arvin Tolentino, a 6-foot-3 forward from San Beda, leads the tournament in scoring with an average of 21.7 points in three games aside from ranking third in rebounding with 10 boards.

The versatile Tolentino also ranks first in free throws (100 percent), second in three-point percentage (57.1 percent) and fourth in total field goals (56.5 percent) among 60 players from five nations.

“He has been very consistent,” national youth coach Olsen Racela said of the 15-year-old Tolentino. “Aside from scoring, he’s crashing the boards, getting a lot of rebounds, plus he’s defending.”

The Energen guards also showed the way with Radge Tongco, another San Beda standout, leading the tournament in assists with 3.3 apg while four other teammates all made the top 10.

Rev Diputado (San Beda) and Henry Asilum (Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu) share the fourth spot with 1.7 apg, while Hubert Cani (National University) and Kyles Lao (Xavier) are tied at ninth with 1.3 apg.

Gelo Vito, a 6-foot-4 center from La Salle Green Hills, ranks second in total field goals (60 percent), followed by Tolentino and the fifth-running Diputado (53.6 percent).

Vito also recorded a perfect 100 percent clip from the foul line along with Tolentino and Gideon Babilonia (San Beda).

The Philippines, gunning for a championship sweep against Singapore last night, is the only unbeaten squad in the Fiba Asia qualifier with an average winning margin of 45.6 points

But Racela said his young Nationals are bracing for a tougher test in the Fiba Asia U16 tournament on Oct. 18 to 28 in Nha Trang City, Vietnam.

“China has a seven-footer and their point guard stands at six feet,” noted Racela. “In terms of adjustment with the style of play, the players know already. We always tell them the international game is much faster than the style that we’re used to.”

Host Malaysia (2-1), Indonesia (2-2) and Singapore (1-2) are disputing the two remaining Fiba Asia U16 slots in the region.

The Filipinos have earlier overwhelmed Malaysia (91-64), Indonesia (109-46) and Laos (101-57).

“We just have to be consistent,” said Racela.