Gilas Pilipinas Youth will kick off its quest for an Asia Cup spot when it battles Vietnam in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers on Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Stadium in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Action is set at 7 p.m. with the hometeam heavily favored against the Vietnamese in the opening salvo of this six-nation event that offers a spot in the FIBA Asia Cup in Mongolia from 31 August to 7 September.
LA Tenorio, the backcourt general who is part of the Gilas squad that made history when it won a silver medal in the FIBA Asia Championship in 2013, will make his coaching debut in the international arena.
He will be aided by another rookie mentor in Gabe Norwood as well as Gilas Pilipinas Men team manager Richard del Rosario, who couldn’t help but marvel at the amount of talent, energy and desire to win of their young squad has.
“The raw desire and energy of these kids every day are infectious,” Del Rosario, who is also an assistant coach of Tim Cone at Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“They are really hungry to prove themselves and they want to create their own path in the sport of basketball.”
Del Rosario added that although Tenorio was given the green light to run his own system offensively, Cone still requested him to use their defensive pattern so that they can successfully bridge the gap from the youth to the seniors squad.
“We want to be consistent in concepts and the teaching of the defense. When LA talked to Coach Tim, they agreed that LA can do whatever he wants offensively, but as much as possible, we need to teach the same as Gilas Men on defense,” Del Rosario added.
Leading the charge are University of the East stars like Gab delos Reyes and Jolo Pascual, who all emerged victorious in Season 87 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines juniors basketball tournament.
Also in the squad are Andwele Cabañero of University of Santo Tomas, CP Miranda of Far Eastern University, and Prince Carino of Far Eastern University — the tallest in the squad at 6-foot-7.
“The skill level of these kids is much higher,” Norwood said.
“You have guys who can make every move, make every shot. Now it’s a matter for us coaches to get the details right, get the scenario situations and help them with their decision-making.”
“But in terms of talent, it’s all here.”