SBP to hold tryouts for U16 girls team

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will conduct another set of tryouts for the Hijas Filipinas Under-16 women's basketball team on April 15 and 16 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. A tryout was already held last week at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium but Coach Nomar Isla and his staff wanted another set of tryouts to give more players a chance to join the team. The SBP will also hold tryouts in the provinces; Fil-foreigners are also welcome to join. SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said that all girls born on or after January 1, 1995 are qualified to join the tryouts. The Philippine national women's team will compete in the 2nd FIBA-Asia Under-16 Women's Championship on October 5 to 12 in Urumqi, China. "A strong women's program starts with the under-16 team because they are the future stars of our senior team," said Barrios. The Hijas Filipinas Under-16 squad hopes to improve on its seventh place finish during the inaugural edition of the tournament two years ago in Pune, India under former coach Patrick Aquino. "Our goal is to get promoted to Level One in the FIBA-Asia ranking and show that we belong to the elite teams," said Isla. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News