MANILA, Philippines - Former UE Red Warriors and current Junior Warriors head coach Mark Herrera is fielding a raw team of elementary graders, to be known as UE Kid Warriors, to compete in the Metropolitan Schools Sports Association (Tanny Gonzales Cup) at the Don Bosco-Makati starting Saturday as part of his massive buildup for the UAAP junior and senior basketball wars.
“The boys are fully prepared for this tournament,” said Herrera, coach of four-time Batang PBA champion Jr Talk N Text-Quezon City and head coach of the national U-13 team.
“Although this is the first time UE is forming an elementary team and still in the rebuilding stage, we already have a lot of promising young players on this team,” he added.
The team’s reliables are Joshua Santos, Richie Rivero, Joshua Lanuza, Paolo Malones, Justine Arellano and Karl Bautista.
Herrera is also fielding a Junior Warriors Team B to expose his players to tournament play.
The Kid Warriors program reaped initial success last year when Herrera acquired several elementary graduates to play with the UE Junior Warriors in the UAAP where he is also assistant coach of the senior varsity team.
However, his key players were pirated by rival schools before the start of the previous UAAP season.
“I am very thankful to our (UE) president Ester Garcia and EVP Carmelita Mateo who fully support our program,” said Herrera.
Those interested to join the tryout may call up Herrera at (02) 557-2157.