The Filipinos, missing eight mainstays, wound up in Group C with the South Koreans, the Lebanese and the Kuwaitis of the 16-nation tournament for players 18 years and under.
Singapore, runner-up to the Philippines in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Junior Men’s Championship held in Lucena City last April, is in Group A with China, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.
Competing in Group B are Iran, Kyrgystan, Japan and Chinese-Taipei.
Expectedly, host India was put in lightweight Group D with Qatar, Hong Kong and Yemen.
"Without my starters, I’m really worried about our chances in Group C. Korea is a given while Lebanon is tall, big and strong," said RP-Burlington Youth coach Johnny Tam.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will be split into two groups. The rest will fall into the classification pool.
Tam was referring to starters Rogemar Menor, Jay-R Taganas, James Martinez, Jayson Castro who are all playing in the ongoing NCAA cage tourney and Kevin Astorga who is now in the USA The five powered RP-Burlngton Youth to a sweep of the Lucena qualifier.
Expected to step-up for the nationals are 6’2 Dylan Ababou, 6’1 Darryl Bautista, 6’1 Alvin Calatayud, 6’3 Jerby Cruz and 6’5 Angelo Canlas who are all Tuklas-Taas discoveries.
Though aware of the RP Youth’s predicament, Burlington socks president Pete Tan and GM Ruddy Tan have given the go-signal for its participation in the biennial tournament.
"We’re doing our best to prepare our boys mentally and physically for the big battle ahead," said Ruddy Tan. "A series of activities have been lined up, capped by a sendoff dinner, to properly motivate the team to give its best for flag and country."
For the Tans, participation in the ABC Juniors is a national and international commitment that should be honored at all cost.