PHL U-16 coach plans to send same team to U-17 Championship

MANILA, Philippines – For better or for worse.

Jamike Jarin is bent on sticking to the same team that copped an unprecedented silver medal finish in the third FIBA-Asia Under-16 Championship Tehran, Iran last weekend and clinched a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Under-17 Championship in Dubai.

"Unless their parents and school principals don't permit, I will keep the same team that has been there for better or for worse," Jarin, who arrived late Saturday night after a quick transit in Dubai from Tehran, told The STAR yesterday.

"It will send a bad message if I replace some of the players of the original team just because we're facing stronger opposition in Dubai.

"The message we want to convey with these players and other kids is that we reward loyalty and faith for sticking it with the team whether or not we have the sponsor," added the former multi-titled coach of Ateneo high school.

No less than Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chief Manny V. Pangilinan, who bankrolled the team's campaign via the MVP Sports Foundation, met Jarin and the Nationals as soon they landed at the old Manila International Airport as soon as they landed just before midnight Saturday.

"Sir MVP (Pangilinan) was there to personally congratulate us," said Jarin. "He talked about rising to the challenge despite being the underdog of the tournament."

The Phl put up a valiant stand before bowing to powerhouse China, 78-85, in the gold medal game but already clinched a trip to the world stage in Dubai along with the Chinese and eventual bronze medalist Japan after tripping Chinese Taipei, 77-72, in the semifinals the day before.

The Dubai tilt is scheduled from June 26 to July 6 next year.

The members of the team are Ateneo’s Mike and Matt Nieto and Jolo Mendoza, La Salle-Greenhills’ Carlo Abadeza and Mike dela Cruz, Far Eastern U’s Richard Escoto, UP’s Paul Desiderio, UPIS’ Diego Dario, San Sebastian’s Enzo Navarro, Sacred Heart of Cebu’s Arnie Padilla, Mikel Panlilio and Hope’s Jolo Go.

It was the Phl's best effort in the biennial meet after finishing fourth in both in Johore Bahru, Malaysia in 2009 and Nha Thrang, Vietnam two years ago.

Jarin also recalls host Iran intentionally losing its second round game to Bahrain just to play the Phl, which the former thought is easier to beat.

Eventually, the angry Filipinos overran the taller but slower Iranians in a merciless 79-52 carnage.

"I've heard Iran intentionally lost that Bahrain game to play us in the quarters because they thought we were easier to beat and that they never lost in the quarterfinals in the history of the event," said Jarin.

"Iran got our players angry and inspired at the same time and the rest was history," he added.