MANILA – Ilonggo Ken Bono and Negrense Jeffey Manday of San Miguel Beermen were delighted to help the squad clinch its first-ever PBA 3×3 leg championship.
According to Bono, this was his first time to play in a 3×3 basketball tournament and was happy to have contributed to SMB’s success in the second conference of PBA 3×3.
“First time ko makalaro ng 3×3. Yung feeling na isa ka sa main guys na nagpa-champion, sobrang happy,” Bono said in an interview with the CNN Philippines Sports Desk on Monday.
“I am also glad that fit na fit ako sa 3×3 basketball. Hopefully, this will not be our last championship,” added Bono, a one-time PBA champion with the Beermen in the 5-on-5 basketball.
Manday, one of the standouts in the PBA 3×3 competition, said he did not expect to be lined up for Beermen’s 3×3 team and hoped that this would be his springboard to 5-on-5 competition.
“Hindi ko talaga inexpect na makakalaro ako dito sa 3×3,” said the former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias standout. “Pero happy naman ako sa opportunity na ito.”
“This championship is also special to us kasi lahat kaming apat nag-contribute,” added the Negrense guard. “Sinunod lang namin kung ano sinasabi sa amin ni coach.”
Beermen 3×3 team mentor Boycie Zamar admitted that handling the squad was different from the 5-on-5 since he could only talk to his players before and after the match.
“Compared to our first conference, it was the mental toughness that was the difference for us this conference,” said Zamar, who also hails from Iloilo City.
He added: “Coaching in 3×3 basketball is also different because I can only talk to my players before and after the game. On the court, it’s up to the players on how they will adjust.”
The Beermen bagged their maiden PBA 3×3 leg championship after defeating Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the championship match, 21-15, last Sunday./PN
