THE Pinoy Youth Dreamers are vying for honors in the 4th International High School basketball championships in Kedah, Malaysia.
Angelo Aniñon (Pasig Catholic College), Sandre Banluta (Siena-Taytay), Jose Andres De Guia (Pateros Catholic School), Justin Mark Ollesca (Pasig Catholic), Ernest Cesar Oliveros (Siena-Taytay) and Jan Daniel Geronimo (Pasig Catholic College) are suiting up for the PYD squad in the tournament on Saturday.
The PYD team headed by Beaujing Acot also has Elchard Santos (La Immaculada Concepcion), Angelo Masagca (San Sebastian College Recoletos), Charles Palaspas (Pasig Catholic), and Carlos Miguel Jacob (Pasig Catholic College) in the tournament featuring teams from Australia, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Brunei and host Malaysia.
Also part of the team are Dwayne Brent Fabroa (St. Margaret), Allen Valeriano (St. Lawrence Foundation), Alexander Perez (La Consolation College), Gerben Baguhin (San Beda College Rizal), Rufino Sablaon lll (Jesus the Loving Sheperd Christian College), Kurt Teaño (St. Raphael Mary School), Gabriel Douglas Yim (De La Salle Antipolo), Aries Jay Paunil (La Salle Antipolo), Paul Raganit (San Sebastian), and Kenneth Gonzaga (La Consolation).
It is the third time that a Philippine representative is competing in the tournament.
“We lost to host Malaysia in the finals last year. But I hope we can do better this year. The boys have prepared long and hard for this tournament,” said Acot.
“I believe the team is ready to battle and bring the championship. We have been practicing for almost four months now,” said team manager Pax Pelipell.
Also with the team are deputy coach Vengie Gabales, and assistant coaches Lemerell Julia, and Glenda Villaflor.
The PYD team is backed by Sonny Barrios and Mr. Bernie Atienza of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Susan See of Regent, Christian Cheng of Aqua Safe, Bread Story, Waiyip Chong of Star Bread, James Barraza of JAMAN, Pax Pelipel of PP Bus Line, Rain or Shine, Roger Chan of Xpress Printing, Chairman Joselito De la Merced and Josie Macapagal of Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City and Kelly Williams, with the support of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office headed by chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz and general manager Alexander Balutan.
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