Manila Chooks TM leaves for Doha

Off to make history again. Manila Chooks TM.

Manila Chooks TM departed from Manila on Sunday night, hoping a return trip to Doha would allow them to make history once again.

The quartet of Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Leonard Santillan left the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 1130pm aboard Qatar Airways flight QR929, with the team expected to arrive at the Hamad International Airport at around 430am on Monday.

The team did survive some minor hiccups to ensure their participation in the 2020 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters, as the visas for the team only arrived hours before their departure.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascariñas expressed his appreciation for those who ensured that Manila Chooks TM's campaign will be smooth heading into the competition. "The spirit of bayanihan was truly alive," he bared, whilst adding, "FIBA 3X3's senior manager Ignacio Soriano and 3x3  Events and Partners Associate Valentina Mattioli -- both of whom are in Spain -- and the Qatar ministry moved heaven and earth just to get the visas for the players."

Upon the team's arrival in Doha, the team will be quarantined in their hotel room and will only be allowed to leave once their PCR test results are given.

US $40,000 are at stake for the Doha Masters champion, with the likes of Liman, NY Harlem, Princeton, Utana, and Lausanne serving as top opposition for the competition.

Team captain Pasaol, who during the 2019 edition of the tournament steered Balanga to the quarterfinals, believes that they are more mature now compared to then.

"Born-ready kami. We’re confident naman eh dahil doon sa pinakita namin doon sa Calambubble sobrang laki ng inimprove ng team namin lalo na sa tiyaga," said the Davao-native as the President's Cup powered by TM two weeks ago was the perfect training ground for this tournament.

"Hindi kami naiinip or nasisiraan man ng kumpyansa dahil malakas ang kalaban. Yun yung pinakamaganda sa amin ngayon kasi yun nga parang kalmado lang, hindi masyadong nagpapanic, yun yung good side doon."