PBA stars out to keep FIBA 3x3 Manila leg crown
The quest of the Manila West team to defend its title and consecutively reach the global championship of the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour in Abu Dhabi in October starts Monday when Terrence Romeo and Co. plunge into daily practice at the Meralco gym.
That is if coach Eric Altamirano, who, with La Salle Greenhills mentor John Flores, guided Romeo, KG Canaleta, Rey Guevarra and Aldrech Ramos to a stunning victory over world champion Doha of Qatar in the final of the 2014 FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters leg, can put together the other Manila squad which will represent the country, along with the Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan national champion from Cebu, to this year’s edition set Aug. 1 and 2 at the Orosa Atrium of Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.
“Medyo mahirap buuin kasi nasa bakasyon lahat,” said Altramirano. “Pero yung Manila West okey na; nagpraktis na nga sila nong Tuesday. Kaso out of shape sila dahil sa break so simula sa Monday,
araw-araw na kami.”
Only National University’s Troy Rosario, Altamirano’s player with the UAAP champion Bulldogs, and Kia Carnival’s Karl Dehesa have confirmed their participation in the Manila North team, the squad carried by Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Jake Pascual and Ian Sangalang last July.
“We are still talking, through the SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas), with team management of the two other players,” said Altamirano, who declined to name them.
Initially considered for the Manila North team, according to reports, was Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga, a mobile wide body who can take the ball to the rim on the dribble or shoot the 3-point basket, main components of the 3x3 game.
But Belga twisted his ankle during the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup and has been slow to heal, forcing Altamirano to look for a substitute. The ROS center personally dropped by practice the other day and conveyed his regrets and inability to join the Manila team.