Nokia-Pilipinas bags SEABA U-18 crown

YANGOON, Myanmar – Nokia-Pilipinas proved too strong for Thailand, fashioning out a 69-38 win to clinch the SEABA Under-18 Championship for men via a five-game sweep Friday at the Thuwonna National Stadium here.

The Filipino boys had a lethargic start not seen in their first four games, but got their acts going in the second quarter on the way to wrapping up the win just the same -- with plenty to spare.

“Mission accomplished,” uttered coach Eric Altamirano moments after the victory which gave the Filipino boys a ticket to the FIBA- Asia Under-18 for men in Yemen this September. “We’re very happy we won the championship. The boys were very consistent the whole tournament, although somehow nahirapan ng konti sa game because Thailand was really into it until the fourth period.”

Six-foot-6 Jethroy Rosario was simply unstoppable inside while Keifer Ravena frolicked from outside as the duo provided the needed sparks for the team which has now duplicated a feat achieved by Franz Pumaren’s team that also swept the SEABA title in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2007.

 If there was any consolation, Thailand at least emerged as the only team that showed some semblance of fight.