By MARK REY MONTEJO
Top and budding Filipina cagers are set to banner Philippine club teams Uratex Dream and Gilas Pilipinas U23 3×3 team and Gilas women’s senior as they try to defend home court against visiting rivals in the Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 3 set on Feb. 8 to 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Now on its third year, the PH squads duke it out against 14 other teams from South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and Malaysia.
Versatile 5-foot-4 Kaye Pingol is teaming up with NU standout Sam Harada and Gilas women mainstay Afril Bernardino along with Chinese import Li Renzhu for the Uratex Dream to complete the unfinished business from the last two editions where they failed to secure a podium finish.
“So far we have less preparation, but [our import] wasn’t new to our system, so we adjust easily,” said Pingol after the competition’s press conference Monday, Feb. 3.
“We played a lot on the international stage from the previous month, [I think it helps us] in terms of experience and preparation. I think we’re good,” she added. “I hope we can reach the podium this season.”
Aside from Zoos Toyo, the reigning champion, Spain-based Panthers 3×3 is also fancied to rule the event having Paris Olympian and world No. 22 ranked 3×3 player Kacie Bosch in its fold.
For the part of the Gilas Pilipinas U23 team, Kacey Dela Rosa, the UAAP back-to-back MVP, will join hands with budding stars Elaine Etang, Kristine Cayabyab and Cielo Pagdulagan.
The senior Gilas, meanwhile, consisted of top-notch Filipina cagers in Mikka Cacho, Hazelle Yam, Jhazmin Joson, and Camille Clarin in the two-day long joust which co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
All 16 squads will be bracketed into four pools with Army Altama, Gilas U23 3×3, Dinoman Hansol and XD are in Pool A while Pool B is composed of Jumpshot Singapore, New Zealand Creamery, Uratex Dream and Shoot It Dragons.
Pool C has Royals Basketball, Tokyo BB, Uratex Tibay and last year’s runner-up Titans while defending champ Zoos Toyo banners the group of death in Pool D, alongside Gilas 3×3 (senior), Harimau Malaysia and Panthers 3×3.
Format is a single-round robin with the top finisher earning an outright spot in the quarterfinal. The second and third placers in each pool will battle in a knockout-style playoff for the wildcard berth.