The princes of SEABA are looking defend its crown
Gilas Pilipinas has been getting the widespread attention heading into the 2017 Southeast Asian Basketball Association Championship. But coinciding with the seniors tournament is Batang Gilas’ quest to remain as the princes of the region as they take part in the 2017 SEABA U-16 Championship.
Batang Gilas are the three-time defending champion in the regional tiff — the main qualifier for the FIBA Asia U-16 Championship.
This batch of the future of Batang Gilas, headlined by 14-year-old, 6-foot-9 sensation Kai Sotto, has been preparing for the tournament since January but has only revved up its sessions last March — after the collegiate season.
“Okay naman yung practices. We’ve been practicing three to four times a week since January pero halos nakumpleto lang tayo nung last week ng March,” Batang Gilas head coach Mike Oliver shared.
“At least with sila Kai Sotto and Rence Padrigao [from Adamson], nagkaroon tayo ng added veteran player. Veteran in a sense na they are playing in the UAAP.”
Currently, the pool has 16 players with 12 to 13 players attending each session. However, with the pre-season tournaments coming up, Oliver, together with the SBP, is working with the schools to find a perfect blend that would benefit both the U-16 team and their teams.
“Hopefully [they are] kasi after the Holy Week mag-stastart na yung practices nila with their mother teams,” the former FEU Baby Tamaraws mentor shared.
“Yun yung pinapakausap natin sa schools nila na maayos yung conflicts nila with their schedules and maging smooth the rest of the way.”
Oliver added that they could hopefully work things out before the start of the 2017 Fr. Martin’s Cup as it will serve as the main tune-up games for Batang Gilas. If all goes as planned, the team will go up against the seniors division of the tournament.
“We are joining the Fr. Martin’s Cup seniors division para magka-experience yung mga bata and ma-run natin yung system natin. And para sa SEABA handa tayo,” he furthered.
And Oliver is doing this because of the uncertainty of battling the four other teams competing in the regional meet. As everyone knows, it’s hard to scout age-bracketed tournaments as the roster composition changes at a yearly basis.
“Definitely may pressure tayo mas lalo na dito gaganapin.
“Gusto natin na maging maganda yung result at maganda laruin ng mga bata para sa family nila at sa mga Pilipinong sumusuporta sa atin,” he closed.
Batang Gilas will open its SEABA campaign on Sunday, May 14 when they face Singapore at 12:00nn
