Nokia RP Youth U-16 bares 24-man pool

Nokia RP Under-16 Youth team coach Eric Altamirano yesterday announced the members of the 24-man national pool from which a team will be formed for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) youth tournament set this July.

Majority of the pool members are products of the ongoing Nokia National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) D-League, a grassroots program aimed at producing well-rounded players for future national teams.

John Aldrin Lunas of San Beda Taytay is the tallest at 6-5 while among those who made it were Kiefer Ravena (5-11, Ateneo), Cris Michael Tolomia (5-10, FEU), Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (6-4, St. George International School) and Michael Anthony Pate (5-11, International School for Better Beginners in Lucena).

“We thank all of those who attended the tryouts and congratulate those who made the pool. May their God-given skills approximate their willingness to play for flag and country,” executive director Noli Eala said about the team under the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas headed by Manny Pangilinan that will be trimmed down up to a 15-man lineup in time for the SEABA Youth tourney.

The team, which will be supported by Nokia Philippines and TAO Corp., is eyeing one of two seats for the FIBA-Asia 16-Under Tournament.

The advisory committee composed of San Beda coach Ato Badolato, Ateneo juniors coach Jamike Jarin and FEU juniors mentor Horacio Lim scrutinized over 170 aspirants during a special camp and open tryouts at the Jacinto Tiu Sports Center in Xavier School recently.

Altamirano said that the players in the pool are requested to attend practice starting Jan. 7, Wednesday, at the PhilSports Arena.

“This is only the start so we advise the members of the pool to religiously attend the practices to show their worthiness to make the final cut for the team,”Altamirano said.

Other members of the pool are Kristoffer de la Costa (San Beda-Taytay), Jay Christian De La Cruz (6’0”, Sacred Heart School in Cebu), Hero Tomilloso (6’0”, ICCS in Iloilo), Jasjit Dhaliwal (6’1 1/2, La Salle Greenhills), Mark Anthony Dia (6’1”, UST), Jasper Diaz (6’1”, La Salle Greenhills), Kevin Ferrer (6’2”, UST), Jeoffrey Javillonar (6’0”, Benedictine International School), Cederick Labing-isa (5’7”, UST), Raphael Nayve (6’0”, San Beda Taytay), Von Rolfe Pessumal (6’1”, Ateneo), Franz Luis Pumaren (5’9”, La Salle Greenhills), Jeron Teng (5’11”, Xavier), Gabriel Reyes (6’0”, Southridge), Paolo Luis Romero (6’1” 1/2 , Ateneo), Brian James So (6’1”, Letran), Rene Sta. Maria (6’1”, La Salle Greenhills), Thomas Torres (5’6” 1/2, La Salle Greenhills) and Joseph Trajano (5’8”, La Salle Greenhills).