RP Youth faces Indons in opener

KUALA LUMPUR – The Burlington-Philippine Team tackles Indonesia in the opener of the third Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Men’s Junior Championship at the MABA gym here.

With four tall players unable to join the trip, the Filipinos will be smaller than the Indons, whose average height is nearly 6-foot-2.

Head coach Johny Tam, however, said his wards, averaging 6-foot-1 in ceiling, will be able to compensate with their speed and fighting spirit.

"This team may be small, but it is big in character and determination," said Tam. "The players have blended and bonded well."

Tam and assistant coaches Ching Marcelino and Rene Baena conducted practice drills yesterday and have scheduled another workout this morning to fine-tune their play patterns.

Composing the team sent here by the Basketball Association of the Philippines are Mark Lester Benitez, the only legitimate center 6-foot-6; Jerson Torculas, Miguel Lindaya, Jonathan Fernandez, Jayfelson Agbayani, Benjamin Gadi III, Michael Vincent Baldos, Hermes Sumalinog Jr., Kevin Aurelio Escueta and Paul Nikki Fedelicio.

Accompanying the players, who are all 18 and under, is Rey Baula, former mayor of Sumilao, Bukidnon, who has been designated team manager.

Other countries entered in the single-round robin tournament are host Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Malaysia and Singapore clash in the other inaugural game at 9 p.m. while Thailand drew a bye.

The top two teams in the biennal tournament will represent the SEABA Zone in the ABC Junior Men’s Championship in Kuwait in December.

Apart from Burlington-socks, the RP Youth team is also being supported by Healthy Options, Air21 and Accel, the official outfitter.