Tough Fiba U18 stint for Paras, pals

With hardly any fanfare, the Philippine team to the 2015 Fiba U18 3×3 World Championship led by 2013 Slam Dunk champion Kobe Paras of Cathedral High in California, left for Debrecen, Hungary, last Monday.

The 6-foot-6 Paras left with teammates Ricci Rivero of La Salle Greenhills, Richard Escoto of Far Eastern University and Mike Nieto of Ateneo, head coach John Flores and father Benjie Paras, who will serve as deputy coach.

Bracketed in Group A, with powerhouse Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Uruguay and host Hungary, the Philippine team is scheduled to see action first against Poland, then Hungary, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uruguay.

Flores said he expects tough opposition since the players from the other countries are so much taller than the Filipinos and are just as quick.

“They are also good shooters,” he said.

Bracketed in Group B are Andorra, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Lithuania and Romania while Group C is composed of Brazil, Estonia, France, New Zealand, Turkey and Vietnam. Group D has Argentina, Indonesia, Georgia, Puerto Rico, Spain and the United States.

The SBP, headed by Smart/PLDT chair Manny V. Pangilinan has sent Philippine representatives to three consecutive 3×3 Fiba World Championships in Jakarta, Japan, and now Hungary.

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Don’t forget to tune in to Aksyon TV as it airs live the grand opening ceremony of the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore on Friday, June 5.

As the official broadcaster of the region’s most prestigious sporting event, the Kapatid network will bring right to your living rooms the exploits of our 400-plus athletes who will compete for medals against 11 countries in 36 sports.

All the basketball and volleyball games—both men and women—will be aired live over TV5, Aksyon TV and www.sports5.ph, while men’s football will be telecast live over Aksyon TV and www.sports5.ph.

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Ateneo cager Kiefer Ravena must be popular worldwide. Seiya Ando, the Asian import of the Meralco Bolts, is referred to as the Kiefer Ravena of Japan.

“That’s what I’m told by business associates in Japan,”  said Meralco governor Al Panlilio, who believes Ando is a big help to the team.

“A player with great skills and high basketball IQ, Ando helps us in the point guard position. We are happy to have him. I hope he can help us in our goal to go deep into the playoffs,” said Panlilio, who praised PBA chair Pato Gregorio for coming up with the innovative idea of tapping Asian imports.

“Great initiative by our chairman. Having Asian imports in the PBA is a great way to promote the premiere league of Asia.”

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His official tenure as PBA commissioner has not yet started, but Chito Narvasa is starting to get his feet wet by watching the games live as often as he can.

Chito said he will be holding office at the PBA office in Libis starting Aug. 1.