RP Youth 5 lineup bared

MANILA, Philippines -- “Talented, skillful, smart, winners, and inconsistent.”

That was how RP Youth Under-18 national team head coach Jamike Jarin described in five words the line-up that will be compete Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Under-18 championship at Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia from May 5-7.

Jarin announced the final line-up of 12 players from a pool of 23 aspirants. Making the team are Henry Asilum (UP), Aaron Black (Ateneo), Andrei Caracut (San Beda), Paul Desiderio (UP), Mark Dyke (NU), Richard Escoto (FEU), Jolo Go (Hope Christian High School), Dawn Ochea (Adamson), Thirdy Ravena (Ateneo), Leonard Santillan (NU), Radge Tongco (San Beda), and Dave Yu (NU).

“Of course, the last word (inconsistent) I need to change before the tournament starts,” underscored Jarin who is in his second tour of duty as head coach. The Talk ‘N Text assistant is also calling the shots for the Under-17 team with a different set of players.

After his U-18 team lost by a squeaker, 74-73 to Far Eastern University in last Monday’s Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, Jarin said, “We have a long ways to go.” The nationals had a shot of winning the match but Tongco turned the ball over leading to the match-clinching free throws by Tamaraw guard Joel Lee Yu and a botched shot from the baseline by Jolo Go with three seconds left on the game clock.

Like Jarin’s Ateneo Blue Eaglets (and to a certain extent, Talk ‘N Text in the PBA) that pressed foes to oblivion, he expects this team to make the most out of its distinct advantage – speed. “When we played FEU, we fielded a lineup that had four guards and one legitimate big man,” explained Jarin. “That’s partly due to our tactics. We want to speed up the game and pressure our opponents. Let’s face it; that is how we will be playing – with a height disadvantage. So we wanted everyone to get used to those kind of lineups.”

Added Jarin, “We expect the worst but go out with a lot of optimism. We have to fast track a lot but we will get by because of our talent.”

Joining Jarin on the coaching staff are Jiggs Mendoza, Jing Ruiz, and Ricky Reyes.

Other countries participating in the U18 championships include host country Malaysia as well as Indonesia and Singapore.