PHL 3x3 team asserts readiness to compete
WHILE recognizing that its road in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2017 would not be easy, still the members of the Philippine team expressed their readiness to compete with pride and honor against the best in the world.
Composed of collegiate standouts Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng, US collegiate campaigner Kobe Paras and Philippine Basketball Association veteran JR Quiñahan, the team, backed by Chooks- to- Go and known as Chooks- Pilipinas 3x3, will be competing in Nantes, France, from June 17 to 21 in the prestigious streetball competition.
“We are expecting a tough road for us in the 3x3 World Cup but that would not stop us from competing since we are representing our country,” said Mr. Ravena during the a press conference for the team held on Wednesday night at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.
“It’s a good mixture of youth and experience with speed as our advantage,” added Mr. Ravena, a multi-awarded and multi-titled player from Ateneo de Manila University.
He went on to say that they have been training hard under the watch of coach Eric Altamirano and was excited to share that the chemistry among the players is developing well less than a month before the actual competition.
“I think our team is perfect for 3x3,” said Mr. Paras, son of PBA legend Benjie and who last paraded his wares in the US collegiate scene with Creighton University.
“If you watch Jeron and Kiefer they are good in isolation (plays) which is important in 3x3 and I really looked up to them when I was younger. I’m excited to represent the country in the seniors division for the first time,” said Mr. Paras, who played for the Philippine 3x3 team in the juniors division previously and is actually a slam dunk champion in the tournament.
Mr. Ravena said having a coach like Mr. Altamirano should help them a lot as they compete in France.
“His presence is very important for us. He is explaining to us how the game is played and how we can work well together. His advice to us is to enjoy this because this is a rare chance for us to be together. It’s not every day that we can be in one team so we have to make the most out of it,” said the player of their coach.
On the part of Chooks- to- Go, it said that it is throwing its full support to the country’s 3x3 team, believing that the squad has a solid shot at claiming the title.
“I think many will agree that we have a strong team in our hands. We are excited to support them and hoping they do well in the World Cup,” said Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. President Ronald Mascariñas, whose group has been an ardent supporter of the country’s national basketball teams of late with its partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP).
Chooks-Pilipinas 3x3 is set to fly for the World Cup on June 15, two days before tournament start where it will initially see action in the preliminaries in Group B against host France, Slovenia, Romania and El Salvador.
In the 2016 edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, the Philippines failed to move past the preliminaries, something that Mr. Ravena said is motivating them further to do well this year.