THE Gilas Pilipinas Youth Under-16 squad hurdled what could be its biggest test yet.
Shaken but not stirred, the young Gilas cagers scored a 77-68 victory over Indonesia last Wednesday night to keep their unbeaten record in the FIBA U-16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The duel likely also served as a preview of the final today at the same venue but Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio is one to get ahead of himself.
“Mabuti na rin na ngayon ito nangyari sa amin, hindi sa finals,” said Tenorio. “But hindi pa namin iisipin iyon. We still have one more game left. We didn’t come here to blow out opponents.
“We came here to win, so we’re taking this. It’s good that this was a close game. Baka akala nang mga players, laging ganoon ang mangyayari,” he added.
Armed with a 4-0 card, Tenorio’s troops clashed with Malaysia at press time last night at the same venue.
Prince Carino led Gilas Youth with 15 points, Travis Pascual added 13 markers, and Jolo Pascual 12.
Carl Delos Reyes and Everaigne Cruz also hit double digits with 10 points each.
An SRO crowd showed up anew that included former Ateneo star center Enrico Villanueva, who was part of the Louie Alas-mentored 1998 Philippine U-18 team, along with Yancy de Ocampo, BJ Manalo, and Emer Oreta, which saw action in the ABC Under-18 Championship in Kolkata, India, shouted itself hoarse with chants of ‘Defense!” as Gilas Youth team dodged the upset axe.
“They’re a strong team, very well coached, and very talented,” Tenorio said.
