Recalling when China ended PH’s Asian Youth Basketball Championship reign

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When the 6th Asian Youth Basketball Championships got underway in November 1980, all eyes were on the Philippines. The Filipinos had dominated the biennial meet since 1970 and were undoubtedly one of the favorites to win it all.

That dominance was evident in their first two games. The Philippines demolished Malaysia in their maiden outing, 130–56. In their second game, the Filipinos followed that up with a 120–68 thrashing of Indonesia. For head coach Turo Valenzona, those first two wins were merely warm-ups.

“A warm-up, a real warm-up,” said Valenzona after the Philippines’ win over Indonesia. “We played just right. I did not use a tight defense — the one we had practiced. China is watching us again; let’s keep our weapon for the bigger battle,” he added.

The Philippines ruled Asian youth basketball for 10 years, but China broke the streak in 1980 with a hard-fought finals victory. [photo credit: PH Sports Bureau Facebook]

China Looms Over the Asian Youth Basketball Championships

Valenzona had every right to be cautious. China was rolling through the opposition and was a serious threat to the Philippines’ Asian Youth Basketball Championships title-retention bid. In fact, the Chinese were the first team to qualify for the final round.

Although the Philippines defeated China in the 1978 edition, Valenzona admitted that this was a different and vastly improved team. Hence, it only made sense that the Filipinos played it smart — saving their best weapon, their defense, for last.

As expected, both teams met in the final of the 6th Asian Youth Basketball Championships. However, Valenzona was wary of their chances, especially since the team had practically scrambled its way to get there.

“It would be foolish to say that our chances of retaining our crown are great,” admitted Valenzona. “Now, we only have the breaks to fall back on against the Chinese, who are decidedly much, much better than the ones we beat in 1978,” he added.

Filipinos Needed Their Shooters to Deliver

Against China in the finals, Valenzona chose to use a slow break over a fast break to address China’s vaunted zone defense. However, the risk was that the Filipinos might find it tough to get offensive rebounds, especially against a much taller Chinese quintet.

Valenzona was aware of this. He knew that for their game plan to work, the Philippine shooters needed to deliver during the Asian Youth Basketball Championships final.

“For this to succeed, Angelito Esquerra, Arturo Cristobal, and Edgardo Cordero must sink their outside shots, as this is the best offense against China’s zone defense,” Valenzona explained.

Still, Valenzona had a contingency plan in case their perimeter shots failed to connect. The Philippine coach prepared a razzle-dazzle style of play to try and break up China’s zone defense.

“If the outside shots fail, we shall try to break up their zone with a razzle-dazzle kind of play to be executed by Melvin Martin and Alfredo Amador. We hope to create a situation where either one could make a drop pass to Elpidio Villamin or Rey Lazaro, and at the same time induce the Chinese to commit fouls,” Valenzona stated.

China Ends a Decade of Philippine Dominance

Unfortunately for the Philippines, the Chinese proved too much to handle. China defeated the Philippines, 94–84, ending the Filipinos’ 10-year reign as Asian Youth Basketball Championships titleholders.

Despite the loss, the Philippines’ decade-long run remains one of the most dominant eras in the history of the Asian Youth Basketball Championships, a testament to the country’s rich basketball tradition and Valenzona’s strategic leadership.

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Brian Yalung

Managing Editor at Sports Bytes PH

Brian Yalung is a long-time writer who covers most sports and technology. He focuses on one-on-one interviews with athletes and organizations, going in-depth. He finished his Masters in Business Administration degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Applications at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde.