LEFT behind in the country as Batang Gilas gears up for its campaign in the FIBA U-17 World Cup are the so-called unsung heros whose blessing made the trip possible.
Outside of the players’ parents and guardians, the respective schools of the players called up in the 15-man roster of coach Michael Oliver also deserve a pat on the back for lending their student-athletes to the national cause.
Team manager Andrew Teh said in as much as professional ballclubs are acknowledged for their contributions to the national team, so should the schools.
“It may be unnoticed, but malaking tulong yung binigay ng mga schools ng mga bata for our preparation dito sa World Cup,” said Teh.
The Batang Gilas official said the 12 schools didn’t give the team a hard time in the release of the players for the national team, which went through almost a two-month training to prepare for the June 30 to July 8 meet set in Rosario and Sta. Fe, Argentina.
“We just sent them letters to formalize our request, and no questions asked, ni-release nila yung players for the national team,” added Teh.
He said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is grateful for the generosity extended by the schools to the team, namely, San Beda, Ateneo de Manila, Far Eastern University, National University, La Salle Greenhills, La Salle-Zobel, University of Santo Tomas, Chiang Kai Shek, Lyceum of the Philippines, and De La Salle Zobel.
Owing to the recent opening of classes though, the team had to forego practicing twice a day. “Siyempre kailangan pa ring mag-aral nung mga players kaya once a day lang yung practice ni coach Mike sa kanila,” said Teh.
Batang Gilas arrived in Argentina on Sunday following a grueling 31-hour flight. The Filipinos are bracketed in tough Group D with host Argentina, Croatia, and U-16 European champion France.
Batang Gilas is composed of Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, Yukien Andrada, King Balaga, Jorick Kyle Bautista, Gerry Abadiano, Bizmarck Lina, Miguel Pascual, Keith Sean Padrigao, Joshua Lazaro, Mclaude Guadana, Rafael Go, Terrence John Fortea, Raven Cortez, Shau Geoffrey Chiu, and Ricardo Calimag.
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