Manila Hustle set for third season

A few of the Manila Hustle 3x3 participants with Peachy Medina, Jude Turcuato, and Erika Dy

ZOOS Tokyo looks to attempt to defend their title when the third edition of the Manila Hustle 3x3 this weekend.

The third edition of the competition co-presented by Uratex, SMART, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas sees fifteen other teams try to topple the Japanese quartet at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

However, this edition of ZOOS will be quite different, with only Ama Degbeon returning. Team owner and incumbent MVP Aoi Katsura is sidelined this time around, but aside from the 55th-ranked Ama, the 219th-ranked Maya Tahira is set to participate, alongside Miran Kikuchi and Fatoumanana Nishi.

They also have slotted into Pool D, where they will face off in the prelims against Gilas Women 3x3, Panthers 3x3, and Harimau Malaysia.

Gilas Women are looking to kickstart their year off the right note with the Ateneo duo of Jhazmin Joson, Hazelle Yam joining forces with two of the brightest from National University in Mikka Cacho and Camille Clarin.

Spanish basketball sensation Ari Geli leads the Barcelona-based Panthers, which will also have the 22nd-ranked Kacie Bosch in her corner.

Seeking to bounce back after losing in the finals is Titans, who are slotted into Pool C with Uratex Tibay, Tokyo BB Japan, and Royals Basketball Australia.

Titans managed to make it that far in spite of losing Trina Guytingco due to injury in their first matchup. She's back again this time, alongside Bo Supavadee and Lina Nakazawa. Replacing Jhaz for this quartet is Stef Berberabe.

In Group A, Gilas Women U23 leads the pack, with inaugural MVP Kacey dela Rosa teaming up with fellow UAAP standouts Cielo Pagdulagan, Tin Cayabyab, and Elaine Etang. Serving as challengers to the youngsters are an Army Altama side led by Gilas Women shooter Janine Pontejos, Korean side Dinoman Hansol, and Japanese squad XD.

Rounding out the field is Pool B, where Uratex Dream leads the charge. Gilas Women stalwart Afril Bernardino and the top-ranked Filipina in the 3x3 scene Kaye Pingol take charge. Serving as their foil are local side New Zealand Creamery, Jumpshot Singapore, and Thai quartet Shoot It Dragons.

Format follows standard guidelines set by FIBA 3x3, with the top team of each pool advancing to the semifinals, with the second and third-place teams having to face off to earn their way into the final eight in this two-day competition.

The champion takes home US $4,000 and an invitation to participate in the WKBL 3x3 tournament later this year. The runner-up bags US $2,500, while the third placer nets US $1,500.

Complementing the basketball action for this two-day event is a performance from the StreetQueens on Saturday and a Slam Dunk contest between David Carlos, Aldous Torculas, and Ashon Andrews, with DJ Bigboy Cheng, Alyssa Valdez, and Jared Dillinger serving as judges.

No action will be missed with the festivities being streamed not only on the tournament's page on Facebook, but also on SMART Sports and Puso Pilipinas.