Phl U-13 team routs older foes in 18-U tourney

MANILA, Philippines - The RP Youth U-13 of coach Mark Herrera murdered the much older Joses Goto five, 93-60, in the opener of the 18-under Juniors Division of the West Triangle Basketball League.

“The boys are fully prepared for this tournament although their opponents were much older and taller than our boys. This is a great experience for our kids,” said Herrera, who is also coach of the four-time Batang PBA champion Talk N Text-Quezon City before it was renamed Batang Meralco Bolts-Quezon City for the ongoing Batang PBA tournament.

 “Although this is the second tournament the RP 13-under joined this summer, we already have a lot of promising young players on this team,” said Herrera, who is also head coach of the UE Junior Warriors.

The team’s reliables are Jonas Briones, Joshua Santos, Earl Lagaras, Kobe Paras, Gian Mamuyac, Joaquin Mariano, Mario Bonleon II, Vince Cabural, Tyler Tio, Fran Yu, Renz German, Kyle Ong, Jaime Cabaruz, Tonito Puyat, Aldrich Tan, Rendell Lee and Mikel Panlilio.

Herrera is assisted by Edwin Ancheta and Benjie Diswe.

The U-13 program is supported by SBP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, executive director Sonny Barrios and SBP treasurer Ernesto Jay Adalem.