THE Philippines faces another challenging international competition when it participates in the 9th International High School Basketball Championship scheduled Dec. 15-20 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

To be represented by J Basketball- Pilipinas under Mike Pascasio and Jay Balagtas, the Filipinos will display their wares in the six-day competition against select teams from Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and host Malaysia.

“This will be another good opportunity for our young players to pit their skills against their counterparts from five other Southeast Asian countries. Malalakas lahat yun mga kasaling teams, kaya puspusan ang paghahanda natin,” said Pascasio, who also served as one of the top coaches of former National Inter-Secondary Schools basketball champion Benedictine International School Tigersharks.

Leading the J Basketball-Pilipinas team are Denmar Soriano, Vanz Enrique Cruz, Brent De Guzman, Drew Dela Cruz and Prince Fajardo, who led the team to a first runner-up finish in the 16-under category in the same tournament last year.

The Filipinos finished only behind Indonesia.

Also in the Kuala Lumpur-bound team are Eon Frivaldo, Santino Serapio, Yuri Rufino, Lorddy Gabriel, Geocer Bautista, John Batis, Hennessy Laquindanum, Andrie Ancheta, Jcin Villasis, and Prince Tolentino.

Both Pascasio and Balagtas expressed their gratitude for the support of Sports Garage Apparel, Noupa Al Zaabi Manpower Services, G4CE Lights and Sounds, Aliw Inn, Kawali Sizzling Pares and Silog, Kream Frappe, Stich Tech, Boy & Girlie Corporation, and Judy Ann’s Cripy Pata.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya