With back-to-back champion Serbia as the team to beat in the men's division, host Philippines assembles two hastily formed units that will try to make an impression in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup, which begins today at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Last year's MVP Dusan Domovic Bulut said he and his teammates are ready to prove themselves again as the best 3×3 team in the planet.
“There are a lot of good teams. Many professionals. Everybody wants to compete and I'm prepared for this,” said the 6'3" Bulut, who will be returning for the third time with Marko Savic, Mark Zdero and Dejan Majstorovic.
With their intact roster, they are expected to breeze through Pool A of the men's division, which is made up of the Netherlands, Romania, New Zealand and Kyrgystan.
Serbia will open its campaign against the Netherlands on Saturday at 2 p.m.
There are a total of 20 qualified teams for each of the division in the men's and women's contests.
“I came ready for this. I think we are the best, if we play our best game. Then, we will be better than anybody else,” added Bulut during Thursday evening's press conference at the Seda Hotel in Vertis North, Quezon City.
Host Philippines will give its best shot in the men's and women's division, with Stanley Pringle finally joining up with Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Christian Standhardinger during the practice session of the men's team.
With Ronnie Magsanoc coaching, Team Pilipinas will try to put up a fight against the likes of powerhouse Russia, Brazil, Mongolia and Canada in Pool C.
“The spirit of the team is up in practice. Hopefully, this translates to winning games,” said team manager Butch Antonio.
As for the national women's team, this will be the first time that the PH cagebelles will join with Jack Danielle Animam, Afril Bernardino, Gemma Miranda and Janine Pontejos making up the roster.
The Filipinas are bunched in a strong group made up of Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain.
Coach Patrick Aquino believes that they will have to be at their best in all their games.
“The Netherlands and Spain are considered as the no. 1 and 2 teams. I guess we just have to do well and prove ourselves,” said Aquino.
The Filipinas will meet the Dutch team at 2:50 p.m, with the Netherlands seeking to improve on their fourth-place finish last year.
Later, they will meet Germany at 6:40 p.m.
On Saturday, Team Pilipinas plunges into action against Brazil at 3:10 p.m. before facing Mongolia at 6:40 p.m.
The Russian women's team is made up of Aleksandra Stolyar, Anna Leshkovtseva. Anastasia Logunova and Tatiana Petrushina