Phl cagers bracketed with US in U-17

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines drew the toughest group in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship, which includes powerhouse the United States, but coach Jamike Jarin took it as a blessing, describing it as an “answered prayer.”

“If we want to test ourselves, we need to compete against the best,” said Jarin after Wednesday night’s draw in Dubai. “We like this group because we will get the chance to compete against the next LeBron James and Kevin Durants.

“Our prayers were answered,” he added.

Aside from the Filipinos and Americans, the other teams in Group A, considered as the Group of Death, are Greece and Angola.

The event is set Aug. 8-16 at the Al Ahli and Al Wasle Arena in Dubai.

Jarin, who steered the Filipinos to a silver medal finish in the FIBA-Asia Championship in Iran last year after losing by just seven points to China, said they are set to train in Las Vegas this April.

Japan, France, Canada and Australia comprise Group B. Puerto Rico, Italy, Spain and host Dubai make up Group C and Argentina, Serbia, Egypt and China are in Group D.

Bannering the national team are Diego Miguel Dario of UPIS, Joseph Matthew Nieto, Joseph Michael Nieto, Arnie Padilla and Jose Lorenzo Mendoza of Ateneo, Lorenzo Navarro of San Sebastian, Andres Desiderio of UP, Jose Go IV of Hope Christian School, Carlo Abadeza and Michael dela Cruz of La Salle-Greenhills, Emmanuel Panlilio of International School Manila and Richard Escoto of Far Eastern U.