RP U18 to participate in Filoil tourney

MANILA, Philippines – The way RP Youth Under-18 head coach Jamike Jarin sees his team’s participation in the upcoming Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup, “it’s a gauge on how we can compete against the best.”

The U18 team is composed of youthful stalwarts tabbed to make a splash with their respective college teams when the main leagues tip off in June.

“We have some of the best young players in Andrei Caracut from San Beda, Thirdy Ravena from Ateneo, Paul Desiderio from UP, Richard Escoto from FEU, and Jolo Go from Hope Christian High School,” pointed out U18 assistant coach Ricky Reyes.

“In as much as this also serves as preparation for the players’ participation in their mother tournaments like the UAAP and the NCAA, for the Under 18, the team effort is preparation for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) championships on May 3 and if we advance to the Fiba U18 championships this coming August,” he continued.

Added Reyes, “We were fortunate that Filoil allowed us to play in the tournament because that will give us valuable experience. What Coach Jamike wants to see is their intensity level and how they will rise up against the challenge of playing against teams loaded with championship experience and veteran leadership.”

The U18 team is bracketed in Group B with NCAA defending champion San Beda and first runner-up Letran, FEU, Lyceum, Mapua and St. Clare.

The RP U18 national team is composed of Andrei Caracut, Aaron Black, Dave Yu, Thirdy Ravena, Dawn Ochea, Mark Dyke, Paul Desiderio, Richard Escoto, Jolo Go, Ranbill Tongco, Leonard Santillan, Henry Asilum, Manuel Mosqueda, Aron Manguera, Rendell Senining, Renzo Subido, Andrey Armenion, Jerrick Balanza, Ricci Rivero, Amando San Juan, Isaac Go, and JP Caulian.

“Before the players signed up to be a part of the national team, we were able to secure their release and participation,” bared Reyes. “So this is good exposure.”

Joining Jarin on the coaching staff aside from Reyes are coaches Jonas Mendoza, Michael Oliver, and Dennis Llames. Andrew The is the team manager.

The RP Youth U18 will first see action in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup on April 28 when they face FEU at 4pm at the San Juan Arena.