Energen Phl sweeps SEABA U-18 tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Energen Pilipinas outclassed Malaysia and Indonesia in succession to complete its sweep of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Under-18 Championships in Singapore.

Already assured of one of the three spots in the FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championships in Mongolia following an 86-73 victory over host Singapore Thursday, the Filipinos quickly buckled down to work and went on attack mode in overpowering the Malaysians, 84-65, Friday and then Indonesia, 81-57, yesterday to sweep the weeklong meet.

“2012 SEABA U18 champions! Next stop Mongolia for the FIBA-Asia tournament,” tweeted Energen Pilipinas coach Olsen Racela.

The Nationals kicked off their campaign with a 124-28 rout of Laos last Wednesday.

The Filipinos, who reached the semifinals of the FIBA-Asia Under-16 tilt in Vietnam last year, will go up against the best in the region in the FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championships slated Aug. 17-26 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.