MANILA – Negrense forward Mark Yee has been added to the Manila Chooks TM squad that will compete in the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 Lipik Challenger on May 21 to 22 in Lipik, Croatia.
Manila Chooks TM head trainer Aldin Ayo confirmed the entry of the 39-year-old Yee as the fifth member of the team along with Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, Dennis Santos, and Zach Huang.
“Mark Yee is a good addition to the Manila Chooks TM 3×3 pool since he stretches the floor and has been known to be a good defender in the post,” said Ayo.
A native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, Yee was an experienced cager after having stints with the Burger King Whopper, TNT Tropang Giga, Meralco Bolts, NorthPort Batang Pier, and Columbian Dyip in the Philippine Basketball Association.
He was also a part of the Davao Occidental-Cocolife in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and played a key role in the team’s title run in 2019-2021 MPBL Lakan Cup.
“Sobrang blessed. Hindi naman natin maitatago na may edad na tayo para maimbitahan tayo sa ganito kalaking team,” Yee said.
“Sa pagkakataon na ito, hindi ko naisip na mare-represent ko pa ‘yung bansa natin sa FIBA sa tanda ko na ito,” he added.
The Lipik Challenger will not be Yee’s first foray to the 3×3 basketball since he bannered the Fyr Fyter Bacolod to a championship finish during the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Magiting Cup a couple of years ago.
In the upcoming tournament, Manila Chooks TM will be in the qualifying draw with Croatia’s Split; Puerto Rico’s San Juan; Germany’s Bielefeld TSVE and Dusseldorf LFDY; and the winner of a Quest tournament in Russia./PN
