MindanaoToday.com | 2 Pinoy kids cage teams cap 3rd in Asian tourney
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Two teams, composed of 15-years-old-and-under (15U) and 10-years-old-and-under (10U) basketball players ended their four-day campaign in Hongcheon, South Korea on Sunday, February 18, with trophies as third-ranked among 15 teams from 12 participating countries.
Philippines’ 15U team had a heart-breaking three-point loss to Indonesia, 26-29, in a semifinal match that was arbitrarily shortened to two periods, instead of the usual four, and marked with miscalls and no-calls on infractions, a basketball coach who watched the game online told the Mindanao Today. It was a nip and tuck match all throughout.
The 10-Under team, on the other hand, struggled right from the start against the much taller, lean and feisty South Korea Samsung wards, and succumbed to a 10-point beating, 15-25, in their semifinal encounter. However, nine-year old point-guard Carl Lauron from Ormoc City, who scored 12, dished out eight assists, and pulled down three boards for his team was declared the player of the game.
Another kid’s team, composed of 12-years-old-and-under (12U) players, finished fifth overall.
All teams played four games before the semifinal do-or-die matches.
Most players of the 15U, 12U, and 10U teams are from this city, particularly from Xavier University Grade School, who were chosen to represent Philippines in the four-day 2024 Asian Basketball Club Tournament (ABCT) that started on February 15 this year.
Two 15U team members are from the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School which is also in this city. Others players are students of St. John the Baptist High School in Lagonglong town, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon Faith Christian School in Valencia City, and Cabulohan Paradise National High School in Cabanglasan town, Bukidnon.
There are also young cagers from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City; Western Leyte Colleges, Ormoc City; Metro Manila’s Far Eastern University, and the University of Santo Tomas.
Aside from host South Korea and Philippines, other participating countries to the 2024 ABCT are China, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. The tournament is also known as the 2024 Asian (Basketball) Supercup which is sponsored by South Korea’s Nonghyup Bank.
The players are: 15U – Leian Gorra, Niño Hibaya, Martin Merlin, Patrick Merlin, Miguel San Jose, Jhian Santander, Larry Henry, Prince Cariño, Nickson Cabanero, and Francis Rosales; 12U – Dan Abanilla, Ron Diamante, Jon Hibaya, Gionne Lascuña, Ehren Miñoza, Margarette San Jose, Jaden Santander, James Cortes, and Marcus Racho; and 10U – Josef Arrabaca, Simon Bantoc, Lecarius Dahilan, Karl Enopia, Ezekiel Escuyos, Xavion Jadman, Jan Lloren, Marcus Nabua, Jeinsley Santander, Travis Tala, and Carl Lauron.
Team manager is Louie Allen Dahilan while the coaching staff are Jared Joy Abad (head), Cliff Andy Tesocan, George Errol Uyan, and Mariano Lois Velex III. (MT)
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