Phl 13-U gains final in Valle Verde tiff

MANILA, Philippines - The national Under-13 team trounced the Valle Verde Selection, 65-46, to take the lead in the cubs division of the Valle Verde 5 basketball tournament.

Coach Mark Herrera’s boys led by as many as 19 points early in the game and never looked back on their way to the finals of the tournament organized by Homer Perez, Dr. Pat Aranas and Robert dela Rosa.

The team is composed of Joshua Santos, Gian Mamuyac, Kean Herrera, Fort Dazo, Diego Rodrigo, Aljun Melecio, Earl Lagaras, Karl Bautista, Clint Escamis, Stacey Tibayan, Benidict Cruz, Venjo Maximo and Juan Carlos Garcia.

“The boys have been playing hard and they deserve to win,” said Herrera, head coach of the 5-peat Jr. PBA Talk n Text and assistant coach of the Phl 16-Under girls who competed in the FIBA-Asia championships in China.

Herrera is assisted by Eugene Bautista, Wilson Lagaras and Edwin Ancheta.

The grassroots program of the Phl 13-under is supported by SBP chairman Manny Pangilinan, SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, executive director Sonny Barrios and SBP deputy director Bernie Atienza.