While Sandy Arespacochaga and his staff are hard at work as Gilas Pilipinas Under-19 Youth are set to compete in the FIBA World Cup, the next iteration of the youth team will take the spotlight in the upcoming weeks.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas unveiled the 22-man pool that is set to compete in the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship.
The qualifiers are set to start next month, while the tournament proper is later this year in Beijing, China.
Headlining the squad are two second generation cagers and Nazareth School of National University standouts Kenji Duremdes (son of Kenneth) and Echo Laure (son of Eddie).
The other Bullpups in the pool are Kim Tamayo, Reinhard Jumanoy, and PJ Palacielo.
La Salle Green Hills have five Greenies in the pool – namely Seven Gagate, Ethan Alian, Manuel Pablo, Jan Macalalang, and Jesseray Arciaga.
Ateneo have four Blue Eaglets: Ian Espinosa, Lebron Lopez, Mason Amos, and Justin Diaz.
UP’s Jordi Gomez de Liano and Sean Torculas; San Beda’s Nicael Cabanero and Prince Alao; Letran’s JR Guevarra; FEU’s Luis Buenaventura and Kenshin Padrones; and Xavier’s Keith Wongchuking complete the pool.
Serving as Arespacochaga’s assistants in the under-16 team are Anton Altamirano and Goldwin Monteverde.