AFTER rigorous preparations, the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors 15-under and 13-under teams are ready to compete in the 3rd Asia Global Youth Basketball Championships on March 27-30, 2025, at the Ynares Sports Arena and City Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
This is the second time the USC Baby Warriors will be competing in this league, which features teams from various countries.
Despite their height disadvantage, the USC Baby Warriors reached the semifinal round last year, a feat they did not expect.
“Last year was our first time participating in the 14-under category, and our lineup even included some 12-year-olds. This year, our lineup is mostly 14-year-olds. Now, our 15-under lineup is more balanced,” said Shieda Henry, the team’s parents coordinator.
Henry, whose son Larry Lyon is the team captain of the 15-under squad, believes their thorough preparation and the experience of some players who have competed in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) will give them an edge.
“The kids work really hard and trained hard, and they have their heart. We have an advantage this year compared to last year, we are much better prepared,” Sheida added.
Coach Dominic Cabanero, father of one-time back-to-back UAAP scoring champion Nicael Cabanero of the UST Tigers, is also confident that his team will surpass their performance from last year.
However, he admitted that their journey will be challenging as they will face strong and tall opponents, especially the foreign teams.
Aside from teams representing different regions in the country, teams from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Guam, and Dubai will also be competing.
Cebu will be represented by USC, Playtown Exclusives, and Cemstarke Corporation.
USC sports coordinator Alimski Largo also expressed optimism.
He said that the children can fully focus on the tournament as their examinations are already over.
The USC 15-under team consists of Wesley Amores, Davin Jhansen Bacang, Zian Gryck Balansag, Ahron Andrei C. Casul, Enzo Garcia, Rene Francis Franco, Sky M. Fua, Junejacob Gomez, Larry Lyon Henry, Rod Christoffe Julapong, James Erwin Lagancia, Dirk Lambo, XYZ Requina, and Joryll Wade Ybanez.
The 13-under squad, meanwhile, is composed of Lourd Zalfrich Antona, Prince Quiel Antona, Kristoff Mikael Bernabe, Brent Alexander Booc, Nicolai Anlon Cabanero, Aaron Joaquin Ferraren, Vincent Angelo Geonzon, Young Joe Hwang, Zach William Igay, Kenrich Clan Malicay, Ralph Louis Quimada, Paltraqlus Pareja, Ananiah Cassius John Raganas, and Sean Gavin Amores.
Both teams are departing for Manila Wednesday morning, March 26. /JBM