Phl cagebelles draw elite teams in Fiba Asia U-16

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines faces a tall order in the second Fiba Asia U-16 Championship for Women after being seeded into the elite Level 1 competitions of the Dec. 4-11 tourney in Jinan, China.

The Phl cagebelles are bunched with the continent’s powerhouses in defending champion China, Japan,Chinese-Taipei, Korea and India, aiming for a “respectable finish” in the meet, a qualifying event for the 2012 FIBA U-17 World Championship in the Netherlands.

“It’s a tough task but we’ll go for a respectable campaign in Jinan,” said coach Raymond Celis, who considers being upgraded to Level 1 “a victory enough” for the Phl girls.

Phl placed seventh in the inaugural tourney in 2009. Only the top six finishers were supposed to be seeded to the 2011 edition but fifth placer Thailand was suspended early in the year and its reinstatement didn’t make it in time for the draw.

Forward Alyanna Ong, a member of the Phl U-18 crew that won silver in the ASEAN Schools Games last year, leads the Jihan-bound crew assembled by Celis, his assistant Emelia Vega and Mark Herrera, and team manager Alex Wang.

Other members are Isabel Gentalian, Leunoel Angelica Dawis, Hazelle Yam, Gabrielle Bianca Veloso, Jollina Go, Alyana Estephanie Vergera, Kathrina Rose Domino, Allyssa Pauline Parrel, Nicole Maria Imelda Cancio and Caramia Angela Buendia.

The delegation leaves for Jihan via Guangzhou today. They begin their campaign against Chinese Taipei on Sunday at 7 p.m. Next up are China on Monday (5 p.m.), Korea on Tuesday (3 p.m.), Japan on Wednesday (7 p.m.), and India on Thursday (3 p.m.).