Coach Jarin ayaw nang baguhin ang Phl U-16 team

MANILA, Philippines - Kung si coach Jamike Jarin ang masusunod, nais niyang panatilihin ang team na naka-silver medal sa nakaraang FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championships sa Tehran, Iran  na nagkaloob sa Pinas ng slot sa 2014 FIBA World Under-17 Championships sa  Dubai.

“Unless their parents and school principals don’t permit, I will keep the same team that has been there for better or for worse,” sabi ni Jarin. “It will send a bad message if I replace some of the players of the original team just because we’re facing stronger opposition in Dubai. The message we want to convey with these players and other kids is that we reward loyalty and faith for sticking it with the team whether or not we have the sponsor.”

Sinalubong ni Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief Manny V. Pangilinan, ang sumuporta sa kampanya ng koponan sa pamamagitan ng MVP Sports Foundation, ang buong team sa Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

“Sir MVP (Pangilinan) was there to personally congratulate us,” sabi ni Jarin. “He talked about ri-sing to the challenge despite being the underdog of the tournament.”

Magiting na nakipaglaban ang mga Pinoy bago yumukod sa powerhouse China, 78-85, sa gold medal game ngunit nauna na silang nakasiguro ng ticket sa Dubai meet matapos igupo ang Chinese Taipei, 77-72 sa semifinals.

Ang Dubai tournament ay nakatakda sa June 26-July 6 sa susunod na taon.

Kabilang sa team ay sina Mike at Matt Nieto at Jolo Mendoza ng Ateneo, Carlo Abadeza at Mike dela Cruz ng La Salle-Greenhills, Richard Escoto ng Far Eastern U, Paul Desiderio ng UP, Diego Dario ng UPIS, Enzo Navarro ng San Sebastian, Arnie Padilla ng Sacred Heart of Cebu, Mikel Panlilio at  Jolo Go ng Hope.