By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has named its 18-man pool for Gilas Pilipinas Youth team’s campaign for the FIBA under-16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers set on May 24 to 30 in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Gilas Boys head coach LA Tenorio, after a careful deliberation, handpicked the members of the crew that will be tasked to sustain the country’s dominant run in the juniors division.
Bannering the pool are the core members of the UAAP juniors champion University of the East led by Finals Most Valuable Player Gab Delos Reyes along with Brian Orca, Goodluck Okebata and Jolo Pascual.
The four were keycogs in the UE’s triumph in Season 87 over UST which was spearheaded by Mythical team member Andwele Cabanero, who will also join them in the pool.
Also part of the group are second-generation players in Clark Khobuntin, son of TNT forward Glenn, and Chris Paul Miranda, son of former PBA player Denok Miranda.
Six-foot-seven big man Prince Carino from FEU also hopes to land a spot along with UP Integrated School’s Jhustin Hallare, Lyceum’s Rajver Sidhu, San Sebastian’s Evaraigne Cruz, La Salle Greenhills Samuel Esomchi.
Ethan David Tan-Chi of Faith Academy, Jeremiah Antolin of St. Augustine Institue of Pampanga, Jhello Lumague of Letran, John Restificar of Perpetual Help, Sacred Toring of NU Nazareth School and Ravis Pascual of Santolan High School.
The Gilas Boys take on Vietnam in their opening game on the 24th before facing up against Thailand and Singapore in the next two days. The Nationals take a day break on May 27 before wrapping up their elimination round assignments on the 28th and 29th against Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively.
Top two teams at the end of the eliminations then play the Final Game on May 30.
All of the games will be held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
