RP Youth to face Japan tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Hardcourt sensation Kiefer Ravena from the UAAP juniors champion Ateneo Blue Eaglets will show to the Cebuanos his wares when he leads the RP Youth Under-16 squad in their debut against Japan as the 2nd Nokia Philippines Youth Invitational Basketball Championship gets underway today at the USC-Main gym.

Games today

(USC Gym)

2 pm Hapee Online

vs. USJ-R Baby Jaguars

5 pm Chinese-Taipei

vs. Iran

7 pm Japan vs. RP Team

There will be a preliminary game between the Hapee-Online comprising the CIT Wildkittens against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Baby Jaguars set at 2pm. The Wildkittens won the CESAFI juniors crown against the Baby Jaguars.

After the opening game between Chinese-Taipei and Iran, a short opening ceremonies will be held to formally recognize the participating teams.

Ravena is the main offensive weapon of the Blue Eaglets when they swept De La Salle-Zobel led by Gwen Capacio. Ravena's proud father is former PBA star Ferdinand "Bong" Ravena, while Capacio is the son of another ex-pro stalwart Glenn Capacio, now the head coach of the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

     The four-day tilt serves as a runup to the RP Team's participation in the FIBA-Asia Youth Invitational on November 19 to 29 in Malaysia.

The tournament is sponsored by Nokia Philippines in partnership with the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente led by its president Rady Abarintos. Japan and Chinese-Taipei arrived last night along with the RP Youth.

Aside from Ravena, the RP Youth Team of coach Eric Altamirano is composed of Cederick Labing-isa, Dan Sara, Angelo Alolino, Chris Tolomia, Von Pessumal, Kevin Ferrer, Jeron Teng, Michael Pate, Raf Nayve, Rene Sta. Maria, Emmanuel Bonleon, Gabriel Reyes, Jeoff Villomar, Paolo Romero, Prince Caparal and Nestor Bantayan. (GGM)   (FREEMAN NEWS)