The National University Bullpups yesterday left for Klang, Malaysia looking confident of winning the gold medal in the 10th ASEAN School Games.
The Bullpups should be heavily favored to rule the annual tournament owing to the experiences gained by Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano and Terrence Fortea in playing for Batang Gilas in the recent FIBA World Cup Under-17 tournament in Argentina.
“We hope we can translate our experiences in the World Cup to success this time,” said coach Goldwin Monteverde, who served as one of the assistant coaches of Batang Gilas.
Monteverde is no stranger to the tournament having mentored the multi-titled Chiang Kai Shek College to a runner-up finish last year.
NU earned the right to represent country in the tournament after bagging the gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
The PH under-18 team is also tipped to dominate the girls’ division in the event that will gather around 1,600 student-athletes of the region. The PH belles open their title bid against the Indonesians.
Backing the Bullpups and the PH U-18 squad are Freego’s Eduard Tio and SM Supermarket bigwigs Herbert Sy and Herson Sy.
Team coordinator Edster Sy said other members of the NU Bullpups are Cyril Gonzales, Reyland Torres, John Felicilda, Dominic Dayrit, Aaron Buensalida, Kevin Quiambao, Joshua Ramirez, Harold Alarcon, and Vince Cuajao.
