Tenorio, Gilas Youth ready for battle

MANILA, Philippines — Homecourt advantage is the key as debuting mentor LA Tenorio and the Gilas Pilipinas Youth hosts their regional neighbors in the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers starting on Saturday until May 30 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“We still have a lot of work to do but our team is excited to play in our homecourt. I hope the fans show their support to the kids and watch live because they really deserve it,” said Tenorio, who will be joined by Ginebra deputy Richard del Rosario and his former Gilas teammate Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine in his coaching staff.

A bona fide Gilas since high school, Tenorio gets to lead the ship this time and at home with a sole focus on steering the Philippine youth program after being relegated by PBA mother ball club Barangay Ginebra to unrestricted free agency list.

Now a full-time coach, the 40-year-old floor general is ready to rock and roll with his stacked 18-man roster from the UAAP, NCAA and nationwide tryouts conducted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Gilas takes on Vietnam on Saturday in the opener followed by duels against Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia with hopes of finishing in the Top 2 for the championship round and a seat in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup in Mongolia in August.

Leading the squad is UAAP junior high school Finals MVP Gab delos Reyes, who delivered UE’s first basketball title since 1985 after a win over Santo Tomas in Season 87 Finals.