Coach Joe Lipa's boys, aside from the newest hardcourt slotman Benjie Paras, were Arnold Adlawan, Paul Alvarez, Nelson Asaytono, Richard Bachmann, Joselito Guanio, Roberto Jose, Mar Anthony Magada, Romulo Orillosa, Zaldy Realubit, Enrique Reyes and Gilbert 'Jun' Reyes.
Benjie Paras was the Youth team's top scorer with an average of 16.83 points in six games. He was number six overall with China's Song Ligang and Taipei's Cheng Chih Lung emerging as the top two in scoring, both with 25.33 points average.
The Philippines defeated Japan on opening day on December 28, this was followed by their 95-93 win over Chinese-Taipei for their second win. Just before New Year's Eve on December 31, 1986, the RP Youth team had an easy work over HongKong, 78-51, in front of a lean crowd close to only 500 at the Rizal Coliseum, which was expected as everyone awaits the dawning of the new year.
On New Year's day, January 1, 1987, the Philippines eliminates defending champion South Korea, 107-96, for their fourth win and clinch the first finals seat. They dropped a no-bearing 72-75 decision to second-finalist China in their last assignment.
The RP Youth five failed to regain lost glory as they bowed to powerhouse China, 67-81, in the finals of the 9th ABC Junior Championships.
