THE country’s youth basketball program has gotten a generous sponsor in TAO Corp., which is shelling out P76.5 million to finance the search and training of members of future national teams.

This was announced by Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) president Manny V. Pangilinan, who added that TAO Corp. would be supporting the program for the next three years.

One of the major goals of the youth team, Pangilinan said, is to qualify for the 2010 World Youth Championships.

De La Salle coach Franz Pumaren is handling the team of players aged 18 and under. The team’s first test would be the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Youth tournament in Malaysia in May. Its next stop will be the Asian Youth Championships in Iran in 2009.

According to BAP-SBP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, TAO Corp., owned by Julio Sy Sr., is honored about helping the youth squad. The amount will be spread in three years—P21.5 million for the first year, P25 million for the second year and P30 million on the final year.

Pumaren said the coaching staff, composed of Sandy Arespacochaga of Ateneo and Ato Badolato of San Beda, has already identified a pool of talents from different parts of the country.

“What we want to establish right now is to bring the honor and pride of wearing the national colors. Before, the player’s goal is to play for high-school, college, then RP Team then PBA [Philippine Basketball Association]. We want to bring back the honor and pride of wearing the national colors first,” said Pumaren.

The coaching staff named aspirants from the National Capital Region (NCR), Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Pampanga and Tarlac. Pumaren, however, clarified that the list is not yet final.

“For sure, we missed out several names. Maraming talents available including those in other countries who signified their intention to play for the national team,” said Pumaren.

“Our goal right now in the next five days is to identify the Final 18 or Final 20 after a week. Then we’ll go to provinces and watch them, then we determine who fits into the type of the game we want,” Pumaren added.

He revealed that the program will be similar to the NCC squad of coach Ron Jacobs during the 1980s where Pumaren played in.

“Let’s face it. Filipinos really mature late so additional exposures are needed. We will have overseas training, maybe in China, Korea and the US where we will play against Division III schools there,” Pumaren explained.

The notables in the team include Ryan Buenafe and Arvin Bringas of San Sebastian High School, Jeric Fortuna and Jed Manguera of La Salle-Zobel, Mark Lopez of University of the Philippines and Nico Salva of San Beda. Pumaren also mentioned that Nico Monachini, a six-foot-five Filipino-Canadian with a six-foot-11 wingspan, has expressed his willingness to play for the country.

Boxing Wakes Up

THE conversation about boxing when the year began centered mostly on the sport’s demise.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) was stealing young fight fans by the thousands, major promoters weren’t negotiating with each other, big-time bouts were too few and far between, and rising stars were obscured on undercards.

Chico’s time

PLAYING four tough games in a span of 12 days apparently wore down Kerby Raymundo and James Yap and it showed in their game during a forgettable first half.

THE country’s youth basketball program has gotten a generous sponsor in TAO Corp., which is shelling out P76.5 million to finance the search and training of members of future national teams.

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) has released a P50-million aid to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for the country’s campaign in the 24th Southeast Asian Games.

Inspiration from home

FILIPINO world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is glad his local fans will get to watch his next fight on local TV.

The 24-year-old Donaire left for the United States Saturday evening after completing more than a month of training in Cebu.

Karter Of The Year Jean Stefano maintains the Marcelo tradition

Jean Stefano Marcelo of San Miguel Corp.-Marcelo Racing achieved his own niche in the annals of Philippine motorsports with his title-clinching feat in the 2007 Shell Helix Karting Super Series that ended recently at the Carmona Circuit Philippines.

Bleachers’ Brew: Wounded Tiger, Hidden Dragon

THIS is a basketball story. At times it reads like an inspirational story. Sometimes it reads like a story out of the Old Testament including wrath-of-God types of plagues that would have felled a man and a team of less fortitude. But it’s a story of scruples, principles and a steel-determination to rise above the challenges of life and basketball.