Time is running out for the national U16 teams that will be seeing action in crucial international tournaments.
The Gilas Pilipinas U16 Boys squad is scrambling for time as it has to put up a solid team in preparation for the Southeast Asia Basketball Association U16 tourney from 16 to 19 July in Jakarta.
Only four teams — the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia — will be competing but the Filipinos have to take it seriously as it serves as a qualifier for the FIBA Asia U16 Championship that will be held in Qatar from 17 to 24 September.
“We’re leaving on the 15th and will be back on the 20th,” Gilas team manager Dean Castano said, adding that around 20 players are currently training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna until Friday.
The Gilas Pilipinas U16 Girls squad is also on the same boat.
Gilas coach Patrick Aquino said they have to come up with a solid preparation for the Division B tourney of the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship set from 10 to 16 July in Amman, Jordan.
He said a strong performance will promote them to Group A, similar to what happened to their senior counterparts, who came up with a sixth-place finish in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup last week.
“The U16 division is where all basketball programs start so you really have to come here all the way to Division A,” said Aquino, whose wards are bracketed in Group A together with Hong Kong, Maldives and host Jordan while Malaysia, Iran, Singapore and Guam are in Group B.
Last year, the Filipinas swept their first three games before losing to eventual champion Samoa.
This time, Aquino is confident that they can advance to the next level.
“But we’re confident that we’ll make it to Division A this time,” he said.
“We just fell short and lost in the semis last time around.”
