MANILA – Negrense guard Harold Alarcon might see himself playing in the FIBA U-17 World Cup next year.
Alarcon was one of three players invited to the training pool of Batang Gilas.
The native of Silay City, Negros Occidental has recently shown his wares at the National Basketball Training Center Elite 60 camp in Makati City.
Aside from Alarcon, Batang Gilas also invited Steve Nash Enriquez of University of Visayas and Royce Mantua of Australia.
The 6-foot-1 Alarcon said learning about the invite to train for the national juniors basketball team flattered him.
“Actually nabasa ko lang rin sa news reports na invited nga raw ako,” Alarcon told Panay News.
“Siyempre isang malaking karangalan na maimbitahan kahit sa training pool lang,” he added.
Batang Gilas is currently forming its training pool in preparation for next year’s FIBA U-17 World Cup.
It qualified to the international tournament after its fourth place finish in the FIBA U-16 Asian Cup in China.
With head coach Mike Oliver, the Philippine youth team is expected to have a tough time in the World Cup as it was bracketed with powerhouse teams Argentina, Croatia and France.
Alarcon – who had a triple-double of 51 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a game earlier this year – could be a welcome addition to Batang Gilas, NBTC Assistant Program Director Anton Altamirano said.
“We all know he could score but what he showed during the camp was how he could also take charge,” said Altamirano.
“He (Alarcon) was gun-shy during the first day of the tournament but as the day progressed, he was able to spread his wings,” he added./PN
