KNOWN 3x3 veterans Juan Gomez de Liano, Joseph Eriobu, and Dominick Fajardo were instrumental in helping prepare Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3x3 for its coming stint in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore.
The three, along with Robbie Herndon, shared their time to play the Gilas quartet of Jerrick Ahanmisi, Ralph Cu, Chris Koon, and Sean Alter in practices and scrimmages for almost two months, as the national team gears up for the April 1-5 tournament at the OCBC Arena.
READ: Chris Koon excited to get to work as part of Gilas 3x3 squad
Eriobu twice represented the Philippines in the 3x3 competitions of the Southeast Asian Games and was a regular fixture for Purefoods in the PBA 3x3, where Fajardo also played for NLEX.
GDL, meanwhile, once played for the national team in the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
Eriobu and Co. were tapped by coaches Kirk Collier, Patrick Fran, and JJ Espanola to aid in the training of the current Gilas 3x3 unit.
All-in for the Philippines
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy expressed appreciation for both the PBA and UAAP in loaning their players in an effort to form a competitive team for the 3x3 Asia Cup.
With the exception of Alter, who plays for the University of the Philippines, all players are currently seeing action in the PBA.
“We thank the leadership of the PBA and UAAP for allowing their players to represent the country in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup,” said Dy in a statement.
“We know it really takes a community to build a strong program, and we’re very happy to get the commitment of many individuals who showed up for our team’s practices to share their knowledge and experience.”
Also a big part of the preparation was the help extended by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation and NLEX governor Ronald Dulatre, who allowed Fajardo and Herndon to serve as practice players.
“We at MPTC and NLEX have always envisioned helping the national team. And when the SBP presented the possibility of us being involved in the men’s 3x3 program, we did not hesitate,” said Dulatre.
“We heeded the call from SBP President and PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas to renew the commitment to 3x3 in terms of hopes of making it to the Olympics.”
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