Batang Gilas’ strengths: speed, quickness

DUBAI—What it lacks in length and size, the Philippines hopes to  compensate with sheer quickness and speed in the Fiba U17 World Championship.

“As much as possible, we need to run,” said head coach Jamike Jarin . “Against tall teams, we really don’t want to see them play in a slow set game. We stand no chance with their size and length.”

Batang Gilas Pilipinas, the shortest team in the 16-country tournament with an average ceiling of six feet, is bracketed with defending champion United States, Greece and Angola.

“We really need to slow them down. We need to pick them up 60 to 90 feet (from the basket) because we might have problems if they settle at the frontcourt,” Jarin said.

“If we don’t pick them up right away, they might score three straight and get their confidence going,” he added.

Jarin banked heavily on his starters—Richard Escoto, Mike Nieto, Paul Desiderio, Jolo Mendoza and Matt Nieto—when the Filipinos opened their campaign against Angola yesterday at Al Ahli Arena.

“Matt should control the game, Jolo needs to really shoot well, that’s he’s strength,” Jarin said. “Paul will do the intangibles, slashing, assisting and posting up while Mike will have to do all the dirty works.”

Batang Gilas, which qualified to the world championship after placing second in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship won by China, tangles with Greece today and the US on Monday.

Jarin will also lean on Mikel Panlilio of International School Manila, UP’s Diego Dario, Mike Dela Cruz (La Salle Green Hills), Enzo Navarro (San Sebastian), Carlo Abadeza (Arellano), Arnie Padilla (FEU) and Jollo Go (Hope Christian High School).

“Being here in the world championship is already enough motivation. Everybody is inspired because we’re making history here,” Jarin said.