Sandy Arespacochaga to coach Batang Gilas

MANILA, Philippines — Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio yesterday appointed Sandy Arespacochaga new head coach of the Batang Gilas that will compete in two international tournaments this year.

Arespacochaga took the place of Josh Reyes, and should immediately start preparations for the FIBA World Cup Under-19 set June 29- July 7 in Heraklion, Greece and FIBA-Asia Under-16 a few months later.

He will handle a team considered one of the strongest formed as it will be headed by the talented duo of 7-1 Kai Sotto and 6-11 AJ Edu.

“Sandy has proved his worth as a youth basketball coach,” said Panlilio in a statement. “He has won championships in the high school level and has been an active member of the highly successful Ateneo college basketball program.”

Arespacochaga steered the Blue Eaglets to the UAAP junior championships in 1999 and 2000 and was a member  of Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin’s staff in their UAAP senior back-to-back title reign as well as an assistant coach under Bong Ravena in the PBA.