Cagebelles eye Fiba Asia semis

The RP 18-under women’s basketball team is determined to give it all in the FIBA Asian Youth Women’s Championship with Xtreme Magic Sing vowing to help the squad in its buildup for the event slated Nov. 2-9 in Medan, Indonesia.

Head coach Raymond Celis said the team, led by skipper Kat Sandel, is in the thick of preparations for the Level 2 event that also drew teams from Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, India and Thailand.

“This is a fighting team. Almost all our players can shoot from the outside and they’re quick. We will give it our best,” said Celis during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Pizza UN Avenue.

The team, composed of the best players from UAAP schools like Adamson, FEU, UE and National University, was formed last February and did well in the Nike Summer League although most of the players will be making their debut in international competition.

Through president Orville Roque and COO Heny Fabian, Xtreme Magic Sing yesterday said it will provide financial assistance to the squad with the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman Butch Ramirez to shoulder the team’s airfare to the event.

“But we still need some sponsors,” said assistant coach Joey Mendoza. “We’re just thinking positively. We hope to make it to the Final Four and take things from there.”

While the organizers will provide free board and lodging, the team still needs some support to take care of the other expenses, and the allowances of the team members.

Competing in Level 1 of the coming event are countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.