MANILA – After representing the country in the 3×3 basketball, the quartet of Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Leonard Santillan are set to move to the professional ranks.
The said cagers opted not to renew their contracts with the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, instead announced their intention to enter the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft.
In an official statement on Thursday, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 League thanked the four for representing the country as Manila Chooks TM in the 2020 Fiba 3×3 World Tour Doha Masters last week.
“Thank you Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Leonard Santillan for making our country proud over the last two years. We at Chooks-to-Go won’t hinder you from achieving your dreams. Good luck on your next journey! All of you will always be a Manok ng Bayan,” the league said in a statement.
The 24-year-old Munzon is a solid two-way cager who played as import with Saigon Heat and Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League before suiting up for AMA Online Education Titans in the PBA Developmental League.
Pasaol, meanwhile, was a former standout of University of the East Red Warriors standout before having stints with Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and in Petron-Letran and Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-League.
Santillan made a name for himself in University of the Visayas and De La Salle University Green Archers before becoming a solid contributor for Marinerong Pilipino and Zamboanga.
Rike was a former Gilas Pilipinas cadet who has played for Wake Forest and National University Bulldogs in college. He also suited up recently for the Titans and eventually in the 3×3 game.
Munzon, Pasaol, Santillan, and Rike will add up to the growing list of rookie aspirants trying their luck in the PBA aside from former Green Archer Jamie Malonzo and Jeremiah Gray.
TerraFirma Dyip will once again select first followed by the NorthPort Batang Pier, NLEX Road Warriors, Road Warriors, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Magnolia Hotshots, Alaska Aces and San Miguel Beermen./PN
