The Energen Philippine youth team was among those stranded due to deep floods caused by torrential rains after its practice at the SGS Gym along Araneta Avenue in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City last night.
Coach Olsen Racela, his staff and players – around 25 in all – spent the night in the gym, rescued only at noon Tuesday.
It took almost three hours for the team, divided into five batches, to be ferried by an inflated rubber boat to safer ground near Maria Clara Street.
The owner of the gym provided the team food for dinner Monday night and breakfast this morning.
“It was quite an experience. We took it positively, providing us moment to bond. We’re good. There are many who suffer more,” assistant coach Nash Racela told The STAR.
The Racela brothers were with the last batch brought to safer ground. Other stranded people were also rescued along the way.
“Energen Pilipinas out of danger already. Thank you for all your prayers. What an experience for us. Now that's what you call team building!” twitted Olsen Racela at around 3 p.m. today.
The Racela brothers used the social networking service to make their situation known.
The national youth were actually safe in the gym, located at the top of the four-storey structure. Likewise safe were their vehicles in the parking area on the third floor.
They had noodles and sardines for dinner and champorado for breakfast. They had yet taken lunch at mid-afternoon today.
The team is in the final stage of its buildup for the Fiba Asia under-18 championship slated August 16-26 in Ulan Bator, Mongolia.
The national youth aim to make the top three to gain a ticket to the fiba world under-19 joust next year.
The Philippines narrowly missed the semis last year notwithstanding the absence of key players left behind in the country.
They swept their SEABA championship assignments to advance to the Asian tilt.
- Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star (Reposted)
3:44 AM
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