Bataan, Pasig tweak lineups for Super Quest

Nikola Pavlovic and Travis Frankin adding oomph to the Filipino 3x3 squads for the Super Quest

Having secured their participation into the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Asia-Pacific Super Quest, both the Pasig Grindhouse Kings and the 1Bataan Risers have decided to tweak their respective quartets to get themselves ready for this continental competition.

Newly-minted Chooks Pilipinas 3x3 champions Pasig Grindhouse has enlisted Nikola Pavlovic to complete their quartet alongside the President's Cup MVP Joshua Munzon, Troy Rike, and Taylor Statham. Pavlovic has experience playing top-caliber 3x3 basketball with Novi Sad Al-Wahda.

The 197th-ranked 3x3 player shared that the Philippines has a long way to go compared what he is familiar with, but he believes that participating in this competition will help the country. Nikola says, "To be honest, really far," he remarked about the Philippine-style of play. "I think this is a good opportunity to grow Philippine 3x3 basketball, especially here in Manila. I think our team is motivated to play in front of the Filipino people."

As for 1Bataan, they have enlisted Karl Dehesa, who played for Vigan Baluarte in the Chooks Pilipinas 3x3, and Travis Franklin to replace Sean Manganti and Anton Asistio. The latter last played for Al-Mouttahed Tripoli and is a newcomer in the 3x3 scene.

For the Super Quest, Pasig Grindhouse is in Pool C alongside Absolute 3x3 of Chinese-Taipei and Jakarta West Bandits, while 1Bataan is in Pool B alongside Tokyo Dime.Exe and Anytours M1 of Hong Kong. The latter features former Alab Pilipinas reinforcement Reggie Okosa.

Pool A has Ulaanbataar alongside Enerskin of Korea and TSV Reading Cinema of Australia, while Pool D has Saigon Aces, SSLC of China, and Aotearoa of New Zealand. Filipino basketball fans will recognize a couple of faces on Saigon, as former Adamson guard Ryan Monteclaro and FEU big man Prince Orizu have been elisted to play for the Vietnamese side.

Pool play takes place on Saturday to determine the top two teams who will advance to the playoffs, with the postseason are scheduled on Sunday. Playing on Sunday means a consolation prize of $1,000.

Make it to the semifinals means at least $4,000 and a spot in the Kunshan leg of the Challenger Series this coming May 18-19, but a third place finish means a $7,000 payday.

The Asia-Pacific Super Quest champion nets them $20,000, with berths to both the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters on April 18-19 and the Penang leg of Challenger Series this coming May 12-13.

As for the runner-up, they secure a berth in the Doha tournament as well as $15,000.