2008 RP Youth Team vol. II

[rikhardur]

The previous thread is here.

[Alex07]

Hey Guys...
I just stumbled across this forum while trying to Google some NCCA results in the Philippines. I recognized alot of the names and decided to keep reading...and reading...and reading. I think its great that you're all very passionate about the Philippines RP Youth program and I only wish that people here in Canada shared a fraction of your enthusiasm for basketball.

I've had the pleasure of playing against some of the Fil-Canadians mentioned in your thread and have some feedback regarding your comments.

I was actually the first one to suggest Norbert Torres to my friend in the Philippines regarding a try-out for the RP Youth team and I can't be any happier regarding his performance. We arranged his meet-up with the team in Carson, CA and once Coach Pumaren and his staff saw his combination of size, work ethic and skill in person, there was no question he would earn a spot on the team. I initially sent out a video clip of Torres from the local news, and that alone was enough to warrant to ticket to try-out. Norbert's coming out of winning program in HS (went to the same school - Mother Theresa - as my brother) and practiced day-in and day-out against Mo Walker - a 6'9" behemoth that's part of the Canadian National program. I feel that helped to make the transition to playing with the RP Team easier for him.

Matthew Wright is another Fil-Can that is waiting in the wings. He's a SG with length and a polished game that will be a good addition to the RP Team. He has the height and skill set to be a real star, and has is widely regarded as a Top 5 Player in his entire graduating class. This coming summer will be a good experience for him, as he'll be able to see what the Filipino game is all about and take his game to another level when he comes back to finish school. He is being scouted by several US colleges, and don't be surprised if he hones his game in the US before testing the waters in the Phil.

In regards to Norman, I've actually played against him a few times this year. He's another player that Norbert Torres has lobbied to Coach Pumaren to try out for the RP Team and I can see where he's coming from. His resume is pretty solid and has the ability to find ways to score. However, having experienced Filipino basketball first-hand, there are many, many players of Norman's height and similar skill set and risks getting lost in the country's sea of highly-skilled 6ft shooting guards. But don't be surprised if Norman too finds a home with a team in the NCAA or UAAP.

There are other Fil-Cans that I am looking to get into the Philippine Collegiate scene:

James Forrester - 6'1" (Filipino / Grenadian), Born in 1989, SG
Physical freak. Was my first choice to send for RP Youth program with Norbert but was too old by a couple of months. Was MVP of Rabo Cup (in NYC) and NABA Tournament (in Toronto) - both OPEN Division Tournaments - in 2007 at the tender age of 17. Would hands down be one of the best dunkers in the Philippines along w/ Kelly Williams and KG Caneleta. Can handle the ball, shoot the mid-range and finish with the best of them. Invites contact and still finishes strong. He's an highlight-reel type of player that fans would love.

That's him when he was 16 years old


AJ Serjue - 6'1" (Filipino / Jamaican), Born in 1989, SG
Incredibly long and fast. Has great scoring instincts and looks to finish at the basket. Good at creating contact and has a game tailor-made for the Philippines. Plays with alot of emotion. Plays the passing lane well and gets alot of steals thanks to his speed and arm length. Was the primary scoring option in highschool, and broke the 40pt mark a few times this year. He'll probably be playing at the collegiate level next year and it'll give him time for his game to mature. But look for him over the next few years.

BTW - Look for my little brother Jon Semira with the San Sebastian Golden Stags this season. He's part of Coach Gallent's rotation there and will only get better. He was MVP at the PBA of Michigan tournament a couple years ago (when he was 18) when our Toronto team beat out teams with standouts like Kelly Williams, Eric Menk, Rudy Hatfield and Jasper Ocampo. He's a combo guard like Chauncey Billups similar to Mapua's Kelvin Dela Pena, so look for him to take a similar path.

Sorry for the long post, but I just wanted to add my two cents =)

-Mike Semira

any news about these guys..if they are trying out for the RPYT?

[Alex07]

Wanted: 6'7-7'4 guys for the RPYT

Is there any good Center/Power Forwards out there that can help Norbert Torres on the Youth Team?

[moonraker]

In regards to Norman, I've actually played against him a few times this year. He's another player that Norbert Torres has lobbied to Coach Pumaren to try out for the RP Team and I can see where he's coming from. His resume is pretty solid and has the ability to find ways to score...

any news about these guys..if they are trying out for the RPYT?

Let me add some info on this thread: The 17-yr-old Norman Penola won the MVP award yesterday in the OPEN Division of the Toronto Mabuhay Cup 2008 Tournament held at Hoopdome in Toronto, July 11-12-13, 2008.

There were 12 teams in the OPEN Division including a team from Ottawa and Norman's TO Falcons team won the championship for the 2nd year in a row.

[Alex07]

Norman Penola info

Let me add some info on this thread: The 17-yr-old Norman Penola won the MVP award yesterday in the OPEN Division of the Toronto Mabuhay Cup 2008 Tournament held at Hoopdome in Toronto, July 11-12-13, 2008.

There were 12 teams in the OPEN Division including a team from Ottawa and Norman's TO Falcons team won the championship for the 2nd year in a row.

this guy is 5'11 plays guard I saw this photo of his team



Scarborough Blues #2 – Scarborough, Ontario

# Name Position Height
1 Ashton Khan Guard 5'11"
2 Travis Bent Guard 5'10"
4 Gus Saurer Forward 6'0"
5 Brandon Sam-Hinton Guard/Forward 5'11"
10 Matthieu Johnson Forward 6'0"
11 Jordan Brown Guard 5'7"
14 Ryan Augustine Forward 6'1"
21 Maurice Walker Post 6'7"
23 Norman Penola Guard/Forward 5'11"
32 Rakeim Edwards Forward 6'0"
33 Ancil Martin Forward/Post 6'4"
45 Mugugu Beaudoin Guard/Forward 5'11"

[Alex07]

this would be an interesting player if ever he is proven Pinoy and will play for the RPYT

James Forrester 6'1 (guard)

[RetiredJordanStopper]

this would be an interesting player if ever he is proven Pinoy and will play for the RPYT

James Forrester 6'1 (guard)

he's too old:

James Forrester - 6'1" (Filipino / Grenadian), Born in 1989, SG
Physical freak. Was my first choice to send for RP Youth program with Norbert but was too old by a couple of months

[RolePlayer]

James Forrester is too old for the RP Youth team, born in September 1989. AJ Serjue is also too old, born in November 1989. Both have Filipino moms and African/Canadian dads.

Congrats to Norman on winning MVP at the Toronto Mabuhay Cup last weekend. Its good to see his team bounce back from their horrendous outing at the Unity Cup tournament we held on July 4 & 5, when they failed to register a single win and were eliminated on the first day.

[kingtut11]

/\ Role Player - looks like your Bro is starting to shine in NCAA - too bad though his team still lost!

from inboundpass -

San Sebastian rookie Jonathan Semira, who had eight points in the game, had other ideas, however. He drilled in a game-tying trey with 0.7 left to force the five-minute extension.

[rhk111]

Great athleticism by that James Forrester guy. I can't think of anybody with his height and with that kind of athleticism in the UAAP or NCAA right now.

He might want to try his luck on one of the local colleges here. I hear some Fil-Canadians are already on their way to UST right now.

[kingtut11]

Great athleticism by that James Forrester guy. I can't think of anybody with his height and with that kind of athleticism in the UAAP or NCAA right now.

He might want to try his luck on one of the local colleges here. I hear some Fil-Canadians are already on their way to UST right now.

Actually the Fil-Can group (mostly born 1992) will be coming to Philippines in Dec. to play exhibition games with almost all the NCAA and UAAP schools in Manila. They may even play in MMBL (Metro Manila Basketball league?)

Someone told me that Mathew and most likely Norman will be going to the Philippines next month.

[rhk111]

Actually the Fil-Can group (mostly born 1992) will be coming to Philippines in Dec. to play exhibition games with almost all the NCAA and UAAP schools in Manila. They may even play in MMBL (Metro Manila Basketball league?)

Someone told me that Mathew and most likely Norman will be going to the Philippines next month.

Do you know who those Fil-Canadians over at UST are, kingtut? C'mon, we're at Interbasket, not at Gameface, so maybe you can share their names here.

I hear Norman had taken the DLSU Entrance Tests, so there's a good chance he'll be going there. I don't think DLSU Coach Franz Pumaren will pass up the chance of getting that guy.

[rhk111]

roleplayer, Jon Semira's regulation game tying 3-point shot is on the video that projectorking recently uploaded, and which I linked on the "NCAA Season 84 (2008-2009)" thread.

[daniab]

Hello guys.
Is there any new addition on ur roster ? Lebanon have a very big chance to be grouped in the same group of Rp.
our youth players are leaving 2morrow to Turkey for a training camp.I have told u that we are missing many players like hayk gyokchyah,bashir saad,ahmad ibrahim,tarek ammoury,Hayk and ahmad are 100 % with our team in waiting to see the respond of Bashir if he still wants to play while Tarek who signed lately in the NCAA div 1 will not be able to make it.

[FEIFEI]

Hello guys.
Is there any new addition on ur roster ? Lebanon have a very big chance to be grouped in the same group of Rp.
our youth players are leaving 2morrow to Turkey for a training camp.I have told u that we are missing many players like hayk gyokchyah,bashir saad,ahmad ibrahim,tarek ammoury,Hayk and ahmad are 100 % with our team in waiting to see the respond of Bashir if he still wants to play while Tarek who signed lately in the NCAA div 1 will not be able to make it.

HaHaHa!!!!
A good strategy!