With their imports nursing injuries, Pasig Chooks-to-Go will play all-Filipino when it faces Sosnovy BorCopRosatom of Russia in the opening of the two-day FIBA 3X3 Huaqiao International Kunshan Challenger in China today.
Game time is set at 5:55 p.m. before the Pasig cagers take on Liman of Serbia at 7:40 p.m.
The level 9 tournament will serve as the last qualifier for the Chengdu World Masters.
Playing for Pasig are Taylor Statham, Joshua Munzon, Dylan Ababou, and Troy Rike.
“We are sending the original Pasig Kings team. This is the actual team that qualified for the Doha Masters for winning the Chooks-to-Go President’s Cup,” said league commissioner Eric Altamirano.
Serbian import Nikola Pavlovic has a swollen left hand while French reinforcement Angelo Tsagarakis suffered a semi-fractured rib during the Doha Masters last April 18.
“It’s going to be tough. We are facing Liman and one Russian team. It’s going to be a tough group but hopefully, with their familiarity of the players with each other, that can be an advantage for us,” said Altamirano.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout playoffs on Sunday.
The winner of the tournament will secure a ticket to the Chengdu Masters aside from pocketing $15,000. The second and third placers get $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.
