MANILA – Manila Chooks TM would be facing higher-ranked oppositions in the 2021 FIBA 3×3 Montreal Masters beginning Saturday (Sunday morning in the Philippines).
The Aldin Ayo-mentored Philippine crew is slotted at Pool D and will face World No. 8 Antwerp of Belgium at 12:45 a.m. (Philippine time), and No. 10 Edmonton of Canada at 6:50 a.m. on the same day.
The Antwerp is led by 6-foot-5 Nick Celes (World No. 23), Thibaut Vervoort (No. 28), 6-foot-6 Thierry Marien (No. 43), and 6-foot-6 Rafael Bogaerts (No. 72).
The Canadian team, on the other hand, is bannered by World No. 32 Steve Sir, Alex Johnson, Dutch import Ross Bekkering, and the debuting Adika Peter-McNeilly.
Despite the challenge, the Philippine squad, led by Negrense Mark Yee, Zachary Huang, Dennis Santos, Mark Yee and alternate player Chico Lanete, are determined to buck the odds.
According to Lanete, one of the oldest players in the squad, the Philippine team will definitely give their best, saying the precious point for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualification is at stake in the two-day event.
“Gustong-gusto naming bumawi kasi nabitin kami noong Doha Masters,” said Lanete. “Every win and every point counts for us para makakuha tayo ng points para sa Olympics.”
Yee, for his part, vowed to serve as inspiration to his younger teammates after being given the chance to represent the country in the international stage for the first time.
“Sa pagkakataon na ito, hindi ko naisip na mare-represent ko pa ‘yung bansa natin sa FIBA sa tanda ko na ito. Kaya ibibigay ko talaga ang best ko to help the team,” the Sagay City, Negros Occidental-native Yee said.
The top two teams in Pool D will advance to the crossover playoffs on Sept. 6 and will face either World No. 4 Ub of Serbia, Switzerland’s Lausanne, or home team Old Montreal./PN
