Armed and ready.
Toughened up by its stints in the two overseas tournaments, the Manila Chooks! 3×3 squad is determined more than ever to make a podium finish in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters set on May 20 to 21 at the Glorietta Activity Center.
Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas is pinning his hopes on the team to deliver the goods for the country.
“We are set to encounter formidable opponents in the upcoming Manila Masters, yet I have full confidence that the new Manila Chooks! squad is more than capable of rising to the challenge,” Mascariñas said.
“The landscape of 3×3 basketball has undergone significant transformations in recent years, and we have been steadfast in our commitment to continually enhance our 3×3 basketball program.”
The rejuvenated Manila Chooks! team, characterized by its youth and agility, has diligently prepared to confront the top foreign teams they will encounter.
“It is crucial for them to bear in mind that they are not just representing themselves but our entire nation. This realization should serve as a profound inspiration, propelling them to deliver their utmost performance on the court,” added the amiable godfather of Philippine 3×3.
Head trainer Chico Lanete is convinced the Philippine contingent in the FIBA level 10 tournament— the top competition on the 3×3 pro circuit—can win it all and gain more points for the country’s bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
“Almost 100 percent ang preparation namin. Napakalaking tulong iyong pagpunta namin sa Amsterdam and Mongolia kasi doon namin nakita kung ano pa iyong kulang namin at kailangan pang i-improve,” Lanete said yesterday during the tilt’s press launch at the Chooks! dine-in restaurant at the Mall of Asia in Pasay. “Hopefully, next week 100 percent ready.”
Lanete said his quartet’s run-and-guns style of play will come in handy for the Manila Masters that will draw fancied teams UB Huishan of Serbia, Latvia’s Riga, Amsterdam HiPRO of the Netherlands, and Mongolia’s Sansar MMC Energy.