THE teenage cage players whooped it up at center court along with their coaches, backers, and some officials. To say the future is bright is an understatement.
Proving untouchable, the Gilas Pilipinas Youth Under-16 squad thrashed Indonesia 70-40 last Friday to bag a sixth straight title in the FIBA U-16 Asia Cup SEABA qualifiers at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The emphatic win gifted debuting Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio his maiden crown as strategist of the team in front of a mammoth home crowd of thousands who braved an hours-long afternoon thunderstorm.
“I think we played a way, way better defensive game from when we first met them,” Tenorio said. “Now we’re more ready. I told the players, wala tayong bagong gagawin kundi iyong ginagawa natin noong last two months sa praktis natin.
“Tama, maayos, mas aggressive, hindi tayo magkaka-problema,” he added and reserved his biggest praise to his wards.
“Personally, I’m happy, but I’m happier for the players. Para sa kanila ito,” Tenorio said after giving his family a hug after the final.
Preparing for the FIBA U-16 Asia Cup, he said, will come later.
“Pag-uusapan pa namin,” Tenorio, who got his victory ride from the team, said. “There’s the schedule of the players with their respective schools. That’s the challenge now. We’ll see.”
Named MVP of the tournament was Gilas Youth forward Carl Gabriel De Los Reyes, while Vietnam’s Nguyen Hoang Minh Khang was presented with the Sportsmanship award.
While the light shone equally on all young Filipino dribblers following the rout, shining with extra intensity were Jhustin Hallare with 13 points, De Los Reyes with 11 and seven rebounds and Ethan Tan-Chi with nine markers on a pair of treys.
The Philippines and Indonesia, along with Malaysia, earned slots to the FIBA U-16 Asia Cup in Mongolia this July, with the Malaysians saving their best for payback by sealing Thailand’s downward spiral 78-69 for third place and a seat in the last bus.
