PH under-16 team seeks foreign stints
THE PHILIPPINE under-16 team hopes to gain more international experience before it plunges into action in the 2014 Fiba U17 World Championship in Dubai.
National youth coach Jamike Jarin said the U16 boys, who advanced to the Worlds for the first time after bagging a silver in the Fiba Asia U16 Championship in Tehran, Iran last week, will benefit from the added exposure.
“Unlike the previous batches, we didn’t have the luxury of training overseas,” Jarin said in the PSA Forum yesterday at the Philippine Sports Commission athletes’ lounge.
“We really don’t have the budget, so it will help if we can train abroad or hold tune-up games against foreign teams. It will develop the mental toughness of our players and team camaraderie.”
The young Nationals dealt China its toughest time in the tournament before bowing, 85-78, in the finals.
In the semifinals, the Philippines also stunned Chinese Taipei in a 77-72 comeback win, just a day after upsetting host Iran, 79-52, in the quarterfinals.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Jarin.
The Philippines and China, along with bronze winner Japan, will represent Asia in the Worlds from June 26 to July 6 next year where the United States will go for a third straight crown.
Jarin said he intends to keep the team intact as the group worked hard to achieve the historic feat.
“Only three things will dislodge a player: if the parents don’t allow them, if the mother schools don’t allow them, or if the player gets injured,” said Jarin.
Mike Nieto, Jolo Mendoza and Paul Desiderio consistently delivered for the squad also composed of Jollo Go, Richard Escoto, Matthew Nieto, Michael dela Cruz, Carlo Abadeza, Lorenzo Navarro, Emmanuel Panlilio, Arine Christian Padilla and Diego Miguel Dario.
