RP opens U-18 bid in SEABA

YANGOON, Myanmar – The Nokia-Pilipinas plunges into action today, hoping to come out strong against Malaysia at the start of the SEABA Under-18 Championship.

“We are prepared but we cannot relax, it’s hard to gauge (our chances here) especially since we have not seen our opponents yet,” said Eric Altamirano, who heads the coaching staff composed of former UP stalwart and teammate Joey Guanio, Victor Ycasiano, Mon Jose and American Dan Rose.

The team members, save for four new recruits, have been together for more or less two years, and Altamirano said the boys already have the chemistry. Still he remains wary of their chances, saying three of the country’s regional rivals – Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore – cannot be taken for granted.

The Filipinos arrived here last Friday and buckled down to work the next day and yesterday with over two hours of practice at the Kyeik Gymnasium, about 45 minutes away from the Central Hotel at Bogyoke Aung Sanb Road in Yangon Town.

The Filipinos take on the Malaysians at 12 noon, the second of a three-game bill kicking off the six-nation tournament at the Thuwonna Stadium.

Myanmar takes on Laos at 10 a.m. while Thailand and Singapore clash at 2 p.m.

The members of the Nokia-RP team, headed by operations manager Ito Lopa, are Kiefer Ravena, Rolfe Von Pessumal, Joshua Angelo Alolino, Rafael Banal, Roldan Sara, Jeron Alvin Teng, Russel Escoto, Cederick Labingisa, Jethroy Rosario, Cris Michael Tolomia, Kyles Neypes and Kevin Ferrer.