Women’s 3×3 is getting better and bigger.
That’s the promise of Manila Hustle 3×3 in its second season as it welcomes 16 teams to the fold this weekend at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
“We want everybody to be aware of how women’s basketball has developed. We like everyone to see how it has progressed,” said tournament director Peachy Medina as she expects fierce competition in this tourney presented by Uratex and Smart.
Gilas Pilipinas Women, led by Camille Clarin, Mikka Cacho, Monique del Carmen, and Tin Cayabyab, will be front and center as they look to defend the home court together with six other local teams.
“We wanted to use this tournament to evaluate the players in the pool and this gives us a chance to identify who can play in FIBA Asia Cup 3×3,” said national 3×3 program director Eric Altamirano of the tilt which has the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as official technical partner, Seiko Prospex as official timekeeper, and B’lue as official hydration partner.
Uratex Dream, led by Kaye Pingol and Chinese reinforcement Renzhu Li; Uratex Tibay, spearheaded by Afril Bernardino and Spanish dazzler Ari Geli; and Titans buoyed by Thai star Supavadee Kunchuan, Jhazmin Joson, and Katrina Guytingco, also pose as legitimate contenders for the crown.
Other local crews participating include Discovery Perlas, Bluefire LPG, and Army Altama.
Having this bumper crop field, to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy, only bodes well for the growth of women’s basketball in the country.
“It’s really when stakeholders come up with tournaments like this that contributes to the industry and that really elevates the game,” she said.
But it won’t be an easy task, all the more with nine international teams also hungry to claim the throne.
Last year’s semifinalist Dinoman Hansol of Korea, captained by Kim Dunarang, will be among the favorites as well as Japanese teams Tokyo Dime, Owls.EXE, and Zoos Tokyo of world no. 25 Aoi Katsura.
Shoot It Dragons of Thailand and Jumpshot of Singapore are also among the returning teams, while making their debuts are Korean team Unicle, Royals Basketball of Australia, and Shiv Nadar School of India.
The tournament will also be streamed live for free and open to all networks on the Smart Livestream app, with Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas as official media partners.
