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PH sending 'strongest' U-17 squad to FIBA World Cup

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/04/04/kai.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Hopes are high for the Philippine youth basketball team that will be competing in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina from June 30 to July 8.Batang Gilas qualified to the U-17 World Cup by virtue of their fourth-place finish in the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China last April. This will only be the second time that the country has qualified to the World Cup. The first time was back in 2014, when a team bannered by current Ateneo de Manila University standouts Mike and Matt Nieto competed in Dubai.That team finished 15th in a field of 16, but expectations are higher for this iteration of the Batang Gilas.&quot;I think this is the strongest Under-17 (team) that the Philippines has produced,&quot; said Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas during the team&#x27;s send-off on Monday.&quot;This time around, we are more excited because the last time, parang ang tallest player natin was just 6-foot-3. Ngayon, may 7-footer na tayo,&quot; he added, referring to the towering teenager Kai Sotto. &quot;Hindi na maliit ang Philippine team.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/18/almost-perfect-attendance-gilas-practice-taiwan-43108">READ: Almost perfect attendance in Gilas practice before flying to Taiwan</a></li></ul>It&#x27;s not just Sotto who will provide the inside presence for the Philippines, as the team also has Raven Cortez (6-foot-7), Carl Tamayo (6-foot-7), and Geo Chiu (6-foot-8). In 2014, the tallest players on the roster were the 6-foot-4 Richard Escoto and the 6-foot-3 Mike Nieto.The team also features a bevy of crack guards, including RC Calimag, Forthsky Padrigao, and Terrence Fortea – all of whom had their shining moments in Batang Gilas&#x27; run in the FIBA Asia U-16 tournament.&quot;Size will not always determine your success,&quot; warned team consultant Josh Reyes. &quot;Size is just a bonus. A lot of things can beat size – speed, intelligence, hard work, hustle.&quot;&quot;So hindi porke&#x27;t pupunta tayo doon at malaki tayo, mananalo tayo. It&#x27;s what you do on the basketball court,&quot; he added.Indeed, even with their height the team is expected to have a tough time, especially as they find themselves in the same group as European powerhouses France and Croatia, as well as host nation Argentina.They are also set to play some of the very best in their age group – a few of whom may be headed to the NBA in a couple of years&#x27; time.Regardless, Reyes and the Batang Gilas coaching staff are &quot;cautiously optimistic.&quot;&quot;Finally, we were able to assemble the best possible talent in this age group,&quot; said Reyes. &quot;So we&#x27;ll see. We&#x27;ll see where we are. We can finally gauge our skill level against the best in the world.&quot;<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

Hopes are high for the Philippine youth basketball team that will be competing in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina from June 30 to July 8.

Hopes are high for the Philippine youth basketball team that will be competing in the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Argentina from June 30 to July 8.

PH sending 'strongest' U-17 squad to FIBA World Cup

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PH sending 'strongest' U-17 squad to FIBA World Cup

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 18, 2018 10:24 PM PHT

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FIBA Under-17 World Cup

Batang Gilas

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