Gilas Youth faces Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines — The journey to the FIBA U16 Asia Cup begins for host Gilas Pilipinas Youth.

And the youngsters under coach LA Tenorio are bent on setting the right tone in the opener of the SEABA Qualifiers against Vietnam tonight in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Game time is at 7 p.m. at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center with the Filipinos out for first blood in the six-nation dispute for the solitary ticket to the Continental meet slated in Mongolia.

Tenorio, a former Gilas men stalwart himself, has assembled a crack crew to fly the Philippine flag in the May 24 to 30 competition that marks his debut as chief tactician.

Leading the cast is Carl Gabriel delos Reyes, who recently turned in a Finals MVP-winning performance in leading University of the East to the UAAP juniors’ crown.