Gilas Pilipinas Youth opened their 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup stint with an 83-58 dismantling in the hands of the FEU Tamaraws on Monday. Afterwards, head coach Juno Sauler said emphasized that no player is assured of a spot in the final roster as preparations continue for the upcoming FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2026 this June.
“Wala pa, no one is assured yet of a spot. That’s why this is also a good ground to gauge the abilities of every individual,” said coach Juno Sauler.
Right on Track, Says Coach Juno Sauler
With less than a month remaining, Gilas Pilipinas Youth is scrambling to build chemistry and learn Sauler’s system. But, according to the team’s newly appointed coach, they are right on track.
“We’re right on track. We still have a game on Thursday against UP. Right now we’ve trimmed the pool down to 21, and then probably after UP we’ll go down to 16,” said coach Juno.
Gilas Pilipinas Youth originally had 24 players, but Sauler opted to use only 12 in their first game.
“Still expecting two or three Fil-Ams, who are included in the pool, to arrive on the 21st, and then we just have to see how the chemistry develops with them joining the local pool,” said the 53-year-old head coach.
Compete and All-Out Effort
Competing against the best players of the UAAP, the odds certainly weren’t in favor of the young squad. But coach Juno was still pleased with the effort his boys gave.
“Positives—we just wanted to see our guys compete and give their all-out effort. Of course, we’re playing against a UAAP college team and understand that these are all high school players,” said Sauler, who is also part of the Magnolia Hotshots coaching staff.
Battling against grown men, the youth team had only one double-digit scorer out of the 12 players who saw action last night.
Bruce Tubongbanua led the team not just in points but also in minutes played, logging 21 minutes and scoring 16 points to go along with 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Next Up: UP Fighting Maroons
Gilas Pilipinas Youth will play against the UP Fighting Maroons on Thursday, May 21, before flying to Thailand to compete in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers 2026 scheduled from June 10 to 14.
