RP U-18 slams Singapore, retains SEABA crown

MANILA, Philippines -- The RP Youth team swept its way to retaining the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) U-18 crown with a clinical 124-63 win over Singapore Wednesday at Tawau Community Hall in Malaysia.

The Filipinos played their best game in the tournament racing to an 8-0 start that knocked the wind out of the Singaporeans.

UP's Paul Desiderio led seven players in double figures with 17 points for the Philippines which claimed one of the two slots in the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship in Doha, Qatar later this year.

Joshua Caracut and Dave Yu both from NU chipped in 16 points apiece while Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo had a double-double (14 points and 12 rebounds).

Aaron Black, son of Talk n Text head coach Norman, and Jolo Go of Hope Christian High School, scored 12 points each while UP's Henry Asilum stuffed the stats sheet with 10 points, five assists and four steals.

The team coached by multi-titled Jamike Jarin swept the tournament with a winning average of 47 points.