RP cagers clinch SEABA youth title

LUCENA – For the second time in less than a week, the Philippines stamped its class over surprise finalist Singapore, 99-53, and captured the overall title in the 2004 SEABA (Southeast Asia Basketball Association) junior basketball championship before a big, wildly-cheering crowd at the Quezon Convention Center here Saturday.

And the Burlington-supported Filipinos made sure they would win it convincingly.

"This is another big day for Philippine basketball," said RP-Burlington coach2 Johny Tam.

"By easily regaining the title which we lost in Kuala Lumpur two years ago, we have proven to all and sundry that we are still the best basketball country in Southeast Asia," added Tam, who was ably assisted by Manny Dandan, Ching Marcelino, Eric King and Britt Reroma.

It was the third SEABA title in four years for the Filipinos, who also earned the right to represent the region in the coming ABC junior basketball championship scheduled Sept. 10-18 in India.

The Filipinos finished the tournament with four victories, including three in the single-round elimination.