RP Under-16 youth team starts training

MANILA, Philippines - Nokia Pilipinas Under-16 national coach Eric Altamirano yesterday announced the 16-man team that will prepare for the coming Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) U-16 Championship Juniors Men Qualifying Tournament set July 25-29.

Making it to the list are Gelo Alolino of (UPHR), Kevin Ferrer (UST), Roldan Sara (San Beda Taytay), Cris Michael Tolomia (FEU), Jeron Teng (Xavier), Cederick Labing-isa (UST), John Aldrin Lunas (San Beda Taytay), Von Rolfe Pessumal (Ateneo), Michael Pate (International School for Better Beginners in Lucena), Kiefer Ravena (Ateneo), Paolo Romero (Ateneo), Raphael Nayve (San Beda Taytay), Kristoffer dela Costa (San Beda Taytay), Jeoffrey Javillonar (Benedictine International School), Rene Sta. Maria and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (St. George International School).

The team, which is supported by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corporation under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas headed by Manny V. Pangilinan and executive director Noli Eala, will still be trimmed down to a 12-man lineup in time for the tourney.

“This is the start of the hard grind for the team in preparation for the SEABA Youth tournament, which is the qualifier for the FIBA Asia U16 Junior Men’s tournament to be held in November. We are doing this step by step,” said Altamirano.” We are hoping that the players’ parents and respective schools will join us in this sacrifice for the country.”

“Just as before, our players will be driven by our core values which are love for country, passion for the game, integrity, leadership and commitment to excellence,” Altamirano said.

In a runup to the SEABA Youth, the Nokia RP U-16 will do rigorous practice and exhibition games from February to March. They will also participate in the Nike Elite Basketball Camp at Brent in Laguna (April 3-8) and compete in the pocket tournament and camp set in Australia from April 12-22.

The months of May and June will be devoted to campaigns in the Nike Summer League and the Molten Invitational in Japan.