KAI Sotto and AJ Edu banner the tallest national youth team in history with the 12-man roster all set for Gilas Pilipinas Youth in the 2019 Fiba Under-19 World Cup.
Sotto, the 7-foot-2 UAAP Season 81 Juniors MVP who is coming off from his Atlanta training, and Edu, the 6-foot-11 Fil-Nigerian center who is fresh from his rookie season in Toledo, will be at the forefront of the battle for the Philippine youth team starting this weekend in Heraklion, Greece.
Also part of coach Sandy Arespacochaga's frontline are Nazareth School of National University's 6-foot-8 forward Carl Tamayo and Ateneo's 6-foot-10 bruiser Geo Chiu.
Rome-based point guard Dalph Panopio leads the backcourt together with the Bullpups duo of Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Fortea, as well as snipers James Spencer of University of the Philippines, Xyrus Torres of Far Eastern University-Diliman, and Migs Oczon of NU.
NU's Dave Ildefonso and San Beda's Rhayyan Amsali complete the Philippine team in the wings.
University of Santo Tomas forward Bismarck Lina and Letran swingman Joshua Ramirez were placed in the reserve list of Arespacochaga's 12-man roster.
Gilas Youth arrived in Greece on Thursday (Manila time), two days before the competitions begin, after their six-day training in Doha, Qatar.
The Philippines will have its hands full in Pool C of the youth tourney, taking on hosts Greece on Sunday (Manila time) at 1:30 a.m., before bracing for Argentina on Monday at 1 a.m., and Russia on Wednesday at 1:30 a.m.
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