An undermanned Manila Chooks! squad fell short against world No. 23 Warsaw Lotto 3×3 of Poland 7-22 yesterday, March 11, in the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3X3 Pro League Netherlands 2023 Winter Edition Stop 1.
Despite the lopsided defeat, the team is not one to cry over spilt milk.
There are no excuses and Manila Chooks! can take solace in the fact that it raised its points in a bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
At press time, the Philippines has 1,024,039 FIBA points that will increase 24 to 48 hours after the games ended.
Manila Chooks! will also gain more points in the FIBA level 8 tourney since it is made up of an all-Filipino quartet.
It was a commendable seventh-place finish for the wards of head trainer Chico Lanete in the tough 12-team field, according to Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas.
“That was a gallant stand from our team (against Warsaw Lotto 3×3),” Mascariñas said. “Defeating a team like Amstelveen of the Netherlands on their home turf was not an easy feat.”
“But they pulled it off to make it as far as the quarterfinals in their first tournament for 2023,” added the effervescent godfather of Philippine 3×3.
Moving forward, Manila Chooks! sees action today, March 12, in Stop 2 of the tourney at the Amsterdam Velodrome.
The Filipino 3×3 cagers square off with world No. 24 Düsseldorf of Germany at 9:05 p.m. and Turkmenistan’s Ashgabat at 10:45 p.m.
