REYNALD MAGALLON

CEBU CITY – Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 teams may be facing tall odds in the FIBA World Tour Cebu Masters but the hometown bets are looking to feed from the support of the crowd especially with the dream of qualifying to 2024 Paris Olympics still within reach.

Manila Chooks led by playing head trainer Chico Lanete along with Dave Ando, Henry Iloka and Dennis Santos will have to go through Ludhiana and Doha to survive the qualifying draw to advance to the main draw. 

Cebu Chooks, which got an outright spot in the main draw being the host of the event, will take on Antwerp and Omaha in Pool A. Mac Tallo, Harry Nzeusseu, Zach Huang and Brandon Ramirez comprise the hometown bets.

The Philippine 3×3 national team top backer and Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. President Ronald Mascariñas stressed the importance of performing well in front of the home crowd to garner valuable points in hopes to secure a spot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Itong event na ito, we’re bringing the biggest tournament in Cebu, itong world tour masters. It’s the biggest tournament ng FIBA so this is one step to earn valuable points in qualifying to (Paris) olympics,” said Mascariñas during the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Cebu Masters Press Conference on Thursday, Sept. 29.

“‘Yung mga ginagawa natin ng mga nakaraang buwan, taon, are really leading towards qualifying to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and hopefully, sana pagpalain tayo with god’s blessing makalaro rin ang Pilipinas sa Paris Olympics,” he added.

“Iyon lang ang aking main objective sa activity na ito to bring Filipinos to play in the Paris olympics sa larangan ng basketball.” 

Unlike in 2019 when the country had to scramble to collect points and finish within the top 24 teams in the world after initially only ranking 59th, the country has put itself in a good position to qualify to the OQT after ranking 21st, all thanks to the successful hosting of Masters and Quest events and the Philippines’ active participation in the 3×3 professional circuit.

The event isn’t only planned to be held in Cebu just because of the country’s bid for the OQT, but according to Mascariñas, also a way of paying homage to the member of the Sisters of Mary Boystown and Sisters of Mary Girlstown who supported Chooks-to-Go cause back when he’s starting the dream to the Olympics in the 2019.