VINCE Petdeo Cuajao of Holy Child College of Davao (HCCD) will don the country's colors as the 10th Asean Schools Games basketball competition kicks off on Saturday in Malaysia.
The 17-year-old six-footer forward, who hails from Midsayap, North Cotabato, completes the 12-member Philippine U18, which is composed mainly of National University (NU) Bullpups.
This will be Cuajao's second straight Asean Schools Games appearance after helping Philippines capture a silver medal in Singapore last year.
Former HCCD guard Cyril Gonzales and former Davao Jones Academy big man Aaron Buensalida, who are also playing with NU, are among the Dabawenyos in the roster.
Cuajao, in a Facebook interview with Sun.Star Davao, said this year's roster will likely win a gold medal.
"Kaya kaayo (mag gold) kay gwapo kaayo amoang bonding karon dili kagaya dati (We can win a gold because we have a better teamwork now than last time," he said, pertaining to the team's chemistry and teamwork.
Defending champion Thailand will try to keep the title.
Thailand won the gold medal last year with a 4-0 slate while Philippines settled for silver with a 3-1 record.
The winner of the competition is based on the number of wins during the single-round robin eliminations.