Pinays face Thais in Fiba Asia U18 tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Careline Pilipinas arrived in southern Thailand yesterday, ready to slug it out with the best in the region in the Fiba Asia U18 Women’s Championship at the Surat Thani gym in Surat Thani, Thailand.

The Nationals swing into action today as they take on the Thais at 6 p.m.

Team RP is grouped in Level II with Syria, Sri Lanka, India, Laos and host Thailand.

Level I, meanwhile, is composed of China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Korea, the pre-tournament favorite.

A sweep in the eliminations will pit the Filipinas against the sixth placer in the other bracket in the crossover quarterfinals.

It would also put them in a position to vie for a berth in Level I in the Fiba Asia Women’s U19 championship next year.

But it will be an uphill battle for the Nationals considering the level of the field.

“We just have to take it one game at a time,” Careline Pilipinas coach Pat Aquino said.

“Thailand and India are supposed to compete in Level I, but were relegated to Level II at the last minute to give us a good fight. I see it more as a challenge. We just have to do our best and prepare for the tough grind ahead,” Aquino said.

Bannered by Asian Youth Games veteran Danica Jose of Assumption, Lore Rivera of UST and Camille Claro of Angelicum, the Dioceldo Sy-backed squad is coming off a seventh place finish in the Fiba Asia U17 Women’s Championship in Pune, India last November.

They also underwent a one-week training in Taipei last April and saw action in the Fr. Martin’s Cup recently.

“We may not be strong on paper, but we’ll give other teams a good fight,” Aquino said. “With the way we’re playing I know we will win. I like where we are right now.”