By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippines will be bannered by new faces in the 3×3 scene as they prepare to for battle in the 2021 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Doha Masters.
Manila Chooks TM will no longer have familiar faces like Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Santi Santillan. Instead, the new and fresh beginning of the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 era will be headlined by Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, Zachy Huang, and Dennis Santos.
Mentored by coach Aldin Ayo, the Manila Chooks squad is currently gearing up for the upcoming FIBA stint and hopes to cruise all the way to the main draw.
“We are just starting pero I believe that we are starting on the right foot. We established a new culture and new approach. Hopefully, mag-respond mga players. For us coaches, we are doing our best also, and we are grateful sa support na binibigay ng Chooks-to-Go,” said Ayo.
The team is already scheduled to leave on March 20 and is currently undergoing home quarantine in compliance with the protocols imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
In order to qualify for the FIBA 3×3 main draw, the Ayo led hoop quartet will have to get past the eliminations in Doha and Austria’s Graz.
“If everything goes well, Manila Chooks TM will be the first team to represent the country in an international competition. If that is not enough motivation for these boys, I don’t know what is,” said Ronald Mascariñas of Chooks-to-Go.
