MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Under-18 Youth Team looks to work on its chemistry when it takes on some of the country’s best collegiate squads in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup starting April 23.
Led by UAAP juniors MVP Thirdy Ravena, the national youth squad is priming up for two international basketball tournaments.
“We have to find the right chemistry,” said national youth coach Jamike Jarin. “Most of them are stars from their respective schools and they’re used to holding the ball. But in an international game, you have to forget about that.”
“What coach Jamike wants to see is their (players’) intensity level and how they will rise up against the challenge of playing against teams loaded with championship experience and veteran leadership,” said national youth assistant mentor Ricky Reyes.
The groupings:
Group A—La Salle, University of the East, Perpetual Help, Jose Rizal University, University of Visayas, Southwestern University, University of San Carlos.
Group B—PH U-18, San Beda, Letran, Far Eastern University, Lyceum, Mapua, St. Clare. Group C—National U, San Sebastian, University of the Philippines, Centro Escolar, Emilio Aguinaldo College, St. Benilde, Holy Trinity College.