By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Gilas Pilipinas Youth has split its two tune-up assignments against college teams ahead of its gear-up for the FIBA U19 World Cup.
Gilas Youth lost to University of the East, 71-73, on Wednesday night but bounced back with a 67-66 win against Far Eastern University the night later. Both games took place at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City.
“Our objective in the past two games is really learn as much as we can,” said coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We like to thank UE and FEU for this opportunity so that we can continue learning.”
With both games going down the wire — Gilas Youth missed a last-second basket that could have saved the team against UE while dodging a bullet the night after against FEU when Ken Tuffin’s wide-open triple at the final buzzer came a bit short — Arespacochaga saw the matches as lessons learned.
“That was a very good lesson for us. Mabuti nga ganoon ang nangyari (It’s good that it happened),” he added.
Gilas Youth will hold one last practice on Friday before flying to Doha to take on a Qatari club in a two-game series.
Fil-Italian guard Dalph Panopio is expected to join the Gilas Youth practice before battling the Qataris in Doha.
“Hopefully, we’ll get to integrate him as soon as possible,” Arespacochaga said.
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