1Bataan set to rise in Super Quest

Santi set to take his trademark floater.

They may have been denied a chance at getting a berth into the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters in Doha, but the 1Bataan Risers have another opportunity to make it into that tournament.

As a result of their runner-up finish at the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup, they secured one of two available slots at the first-of-its-kind Asia Pacific Super Quest. President's Cup champions and esteemed rivals Pasig Grindhouse earned the other slot.

When asked about this second opportunity, Alvin Pasaol says, "Sobrang tuwa din namin dahil kasama pa rin kami sa Super Quest."

Unlike the Kings, though, 1Bataan's road is a little bit dicier.

At 1240pm, they face Anytour M1 of Hong Kong at 1240pm, a team that has three American ballers, including former Alab Pilipinas reinforcement Reggie Okosa. A couple of hours later, they would face Tokyo Dime.Exe, which is fielding the top-ranked Japanese in 3x3, Tomoya Ochiai. Tokyo also snapped up Petar Perunovic to bolster their squad. The Serb is ranked 45th in the world.

To get themselves ready, 1Bataan made a couple of roster adjustments. They enlisted former adversary Karl Dehesa and snapped up Travis Franklin.

Dehesa is an integral asset to the Vigan Baluarte's campaign in Chooks Pilipinas 3x3 and also has the experience, having participated in 3x3 World Championship a couple of years earlier. He shares, "I'm very excited to be back on this stage and see some familiar faces. The environment is going to be electric. I'm just excited to face the top competition in the region."

Franklin is a newcomer in the 3x3 scene, but is very much eager to learn and contribute to the Risers. He shares, "It’s different, it’s an open game that sees scorers thrive. But at the end of the day, it’s basketball and I love this game."

Knowing that their road to Doha will not be easy, Santillan says, "Expectation ko lang talaga yung pagiging physical nila. Pero nandito yung pagkakaisa namin. Kami ni Alvin magkakampi kami sa liga, si Kuya Karl naman ang dami niyang experience, tapos si Kuya Travis iniinvolve niya talaga kami. Alam ko, papalag kami."

Pasaol adds, "Siguro dagdag pressure din dahil malalakas ang mga makakalaban namin sa Super Quest, pero kakayanin namin kasi nirerepresent namin ang Pilipinas. Laban pa rin kami."

The Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest will award its champion with a berth in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters Doha as well as in the Penang leg of the Challenger Tour series on May 12-13. They will also receive $20,000.

The runners-up also get a spot in Doha, as well as $15,000.

Third place finishers net $7,000, while fourth place rewards the team $4,000. Both losing semifinalists will be getting a spot in the Kunshan leg of the Challenger tour on May 18-19.

Fifth to eighth place finishers get $1,000 as a consolation prize.