Chooks 3x3 Invitational to prepare Manila Chooks for World Tour stint

Aldin Ayo

Aldin Ayo is just happy that 3x3 competition in the country is set to resume Wednesday, with the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Invitational powered by TM taking place at the Laus Group Events Centre in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Manila Chooks head coach shares, "I'm happy because we are going to have games which we lacked. Yung first game natin lagi tayo nagstruggle tapos second game nakaka-adjust. Hopefully, after this, we learn more about adjusting in tournaments."

The two stints in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour are the only competitions Manila Chooks has participated this year, with a 13th place finish in Doha back in March and an 11th place finish in Montreal last month. The pandemic has shut down 3x3 competition both locally and regionally.

Manila Chooks is expected to compete in the Abu Dhabi leg of the 3x3 World Tour on October 29-30, and the invitational is a perfect opportunity to prepare for the competition.

For the invitational, Ayo has enlisted Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, and Lyceum alumnus Mike Nzeusseu to represent Manila as Manila HeiHei. Manila Chooks reserves Mark Yee and Dennis Santos, who comprised half of the team in Montreal, are tapped to play with Homegrown Grains Bocaue with Ralph Tansingco and Jayvee Marcelino.

Manila is slotted with Adam Esli Pasay and Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod in Pool A, while Bocaue joins MNL Kingpin Quezon City and ARQ Builders-Cebu in Pool B.

Pool C consists of Pasig Kingpins, Zamboanga Valientes MLV, and BRT Sumisip-Basilan, with remaining teams AMACOR Mandaluyong, Essen Immunoboost Sarangani and RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija in Pool D.

Standard 3x3 tournament rules apply for this invitational, with the top two teams in Pool A facing off with Pool C and Pool B with Pool D in the crossover knockout rounds.

Ayo acknowledges Manila's status as favorites, noting that they "are going to accept the challenge but what is important is we improve."

The multi-titled head coach also expessed appreciation to league owner Ronald Mascariñas, who ensured a tournament is slated to take place.

"We know that this is not easy and this is not cheap. Ginagawa eto ni Sir Ronald to help us gain points for the 2024 Paris Olympics," expressed Ayo.

The 2021 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Invitational powered by TM and supported by Gatorade is endorsed by FIBA 3x3 and regulated by the Games and Amusements Board. Action will be streamed both on the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas page on Facebook as well as the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel.