By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 3×3 scene just welcomed its newest competing franchise last October 10, 2023, the MCFASOLVER Tech Centrale.
A fast-rising appliance, furniture, and gadget shop, MCFASOLVER is looking to kick off its debut season in the PBA 3×3 with hopes of advancing to the post-season despite being first-timers.
Head coach Anton Altamirano revealed that their ultimate goal in joining the league is to compete, present a tough challenge to the huge franchises, and shock the PBA by winning a title.
“Definitely, winning a title is the goal. We’re not doing it to only place second. We want to compete and we want to contend,” said Altamirano.
MCFASOLVER will be building around the core of former Wilcon Depot members Louis Vigil, TH Tumalip, Ael Banal, and Yutien Andrada.
The team will then be backstopped by the dominating presence of Filipino-Canadian center Brandon Ramirez.
Completing the cast of the Tech Centrale hoopers is a former PBA 5×5 veteran and UAAP champion from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, Nico Salva.
MCFASOLVER is owned by Maria Christina F. Antonio and Erickson A. Solver boosted by the guidance of coach Altamirano and his talented staff.
PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro and PBA 3×3 tournament director Joey Guanio already welcomed MCFASOLVER and posted high expectations from the stacked team.
Guanio expressed that MCFASOLVER is already a top team in the PBA 3×3 and can go toe-to-toe against their co-participating teams in the league.
“On behalf of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and the whole PBA family. We welcome MCFASolver Tech Centrale and we’re excited to have them as our new team in the PBA 3×3. We’re in our third season already and we’re hoping that more teams will join as we expand the PBA 3×3,” said Castro.
