RICCI Rivero spearheads the Gilas 3x3 team that leaves for Changsha, China on Tuesday for the Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup qualification phase.
Rivero will be joined by RJ Abarrientos, Rhayann Amsali and Barkley Ebona. The team will be handled by coach Ronnie Magsanoc.
The distaff side meanwhile, feature Jack Animam, Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos and Clare Castro.
Coaching the women's team is multi-titled mentor Pat Aquino.
Rivero, Amsali, and Abbarientos were part of Team Philippines which competed in the FIBA World Cup U-23 in Xi'An China last year.
The country is bracketed in Group A with Qatar, Iran, Thailand, and Samoa. The Filipinos need to top their group to qualify in the main event set May 24-26.
Magsanoc said the team's first two games against Thailand and Qatar on Wednesday will be 'our major test,' if the Philippines is to imporve its chances of crossing to the next phase.
Western Asia powerhouse Iran is up next followed by Samoa on Thursday.
"Hopefully, by that time, we will be on course towards a spot in the main draw," he said.
Group B meanwhile, is led by South Korea, India, Malaysia, and Vanuatu, while in Group C are Kyrgyztan, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, and Vietnam.
Only the top three teams in each group will advance to the next phase.
The Gilas women's team meanwhile, is bracketed in Group A with Chinese Taipei, Vanuatu, and Samoa.
Group B on the other hand, is composed of Malaysia, Maldives, India, and Thailand,
Only the top teams in each group will likewise secure a berth in the final round.
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