The Batang Gilas Pilipinas batch of 2017 is a youth team like never before. With three players standing at least 6-foot-6 and a plethora of floor spacers and court generals, it is arguably the most balanced team the Philippines has ever fielded in a youth tournament.
And it showed during the team’s first tournament together.
Batang Gilas simply dominated the competition in the 2017 SEABA Under-16 Championship, winning by an average margin of 44.25 points per game with five players averaging double-figures in the scoring department. Moreover, they were able to continue the Philippines’ dominance in the Southeast Asian tourney, extending Batang Gilas’ streak in SEABA to 16 games.
Seeing how well this group meshed with one another, seniors team head coach Chot Reyes hopes that the team grows together.
“I’m really happy. Hopefully, this group can stay together for a long period,” said the 53-year-old mentor.
Reyes furthered that it is one of his wishes that the Batang Gilas program won’t experience the same problems being faced by Philippine sports.
“That’s been the problem of Philippine sports. Even today, hindi lang sa basketball, kung hindi sa volleyball ganun din. Kung kailan magagaling yung players, hindi naman makalaro.
“Hopefully, that doesn’t happen this time,” the five-time coach of the year furthered.
And if the program retains the same core, only good things will happen.
“If they stay together, they have a bright future but if not, this potential is going to go to waste,” he closed.
