Phl 13-under blasts Malate CS, leads Kabaka inter-school caging

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Mark Herrera’s Phl 13-under squad broke loose early on and crushed Malate Catholic School, 92-40, to assume the lead in the Kabaka Inter-school League Friday at the Aurora Elementary School in Manila’s fifth district.

Joshua Santos, Kean Herrera, Fort Dazo, Diego Rodrigo and Earl Lagaras provided the firepower as the national developmental pool of SBP chairman Manny Pangilinan cruised to its third straight win in Bracket B of the tournament.

The U-13 squad is playing both in Bracket A and B on request of public schools which wanted their teams to get a feel of playing a national team on their home turf.

Earlier the National youth squad blasted Epifanio delos Santos School, 92-50 and Malate Catholic School, 92-40.

Also putting in the numbers were Karl Bautista, Clint Escamis, Stacey Tibayan, Pawan Singh, CJ Balingit and Juan Carlos Garcia.

Although his wards won convincingly, the multi-titled Herrera, who coached the Talk N Text and Meralco teams to a record five titles in the annual Batang PBA tournament, said the going was tough as the MCS cagers put up a gritty stand before losing ground in the final minutes.

“This is a good win for our team,” said Herrera, who was also assistant coach of the Phl youth 16-under girls that competed in the FIBA-Asia in China. “The boys have been playing hard and they deserve to win.”

The U-13 national team is bracketed in Group A with Philippine Christian U, Letran, Paco Catholic School, Jesus is Lord, EDS School and St. Anthony.

Playing in Bracket B are EDS, MCS, Aurora ES, Ma. Guerrero ES, Margarita ES and Jesus Reigns School.

Herrera is assisted by Eugene Bautista, Wilson Lagaras and Edwin Ancheta.

The grassroot program of the Rp youth 13-under is also supported by SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas and executive director Sonny Barrios.