PBA 3×3 rivals Almond Vosotros and Jorey Napoles now found themselves on the same side as they banner the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team for the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup from March 29 until April 2 in Singapore.
Playing for two different clubs with Vosotros strutting his wares for TNT and Napoles suiting up for Cavitex, the two will now join forces along with Samboy De Leon and Brandon Bates as the Nationals hope to replicate if not surpass the surprising fourth place finish of the Filipinos last year.
Vosotros and De Leon were part of the team that turned heads in the last edition especially when they stunned and eliminated first seed Mongolia, 21-20 on a Vosotros dagger deuce in the quarterfinals.
The team bowed out of contention against New Zealand in the semifinals before the Filipinos suffered a loss to China in the battle for third relegating them to the fourth spot, the country’s best finish in the tournament.
Coming in as the fourth seed, Gilas is grouped in Pool D where it is set to face Qatar and one winner of the qualifying draw.
On distaff side, long-time 3×3 members Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos will once again join hands with Khate Castillo and Clare Castro. The Gilas women’s team is coming into the tournament as the 10th seed and is currently grouped with top seed China and eighth seed Iran.
The Filipina dribblers hope to improve their performance last year when they wound up winless in the tournament after failing to make it to the main draw. Gilas lost to Jordan and Thailand in the qualifying draw last year
