By REYNALD MAGALLON
Gilas Boys deputy coaches Richard Del Rosario and Gabe Norwood are seeing a lot of promise and potential to the young talents in the national team pool that is deep in its preparations for the upcoming FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2025.
Both at the sidelines actively helping newly installed Gilas Boys coach LA Tenorio in the training sessions, Del Rosario and Norwood couldn’t help but marvel at the level of talent of the young players they personally handpicked to be part of the program.
Of course, coming from different teams and basketball backgrounds, there’s a lot of teaching to be done according to Del Rosario but everything is much easier with the kid’s enthusiasm to learn.
“We’re always in teaching mode. Things that may seem easy at the college or professional level are not automatic to them yet, so you have to start from level one and try to teach them,” said Del Rosario.
“The willingness to learn is there. Sometimes, of course, their youthful exuberance takes over and you need to control it a bit,” he added.
Del Rosario, a long-time Ginebra assistant, is tasked to hone the pool’s big men while Norwood often spends time with the guards. And both of them are seeing promise as early as now from the boys.
“Prince Carino and Jhello Lumague have good potential. Even our other players like Rayven Restificar, who may not be as skilled as our other bigs, but plays with great energy. He’s a gamer. He may not be spectacular in practice, but he always shows up in our tuneup games,” Del Rosario said.
“I don’t know if I can single one out, across the board we have a good mix. You have a guy like Andwele Cabanero who’s super aggressive with the ball and attack, then you have Ethan Tan-Chi who’s so steady and can shoot the ball for us. CP Miranda can also play. I can go down the list. It’s really cool to see the variety that we have,” said Norwood.
Observing the composition of the team, though, there’s no doubt for the Rain or Shine forward that the group is brimming with talent they can work on come game time.
“The skill level now with these kids is much higher. You have guys who can make every move, make every shot. Now it’s a matter for us coaches to get the details right, get the scenario situations, and help them with their decision making.
“In terms of talent, it’s all here.”
