THEY may have yet to make the jump to the PBA, but for Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, and Santi Santillan, they are excited of the prospects of being considered as professional 3x3 players.
"It's pretty cool," said the Fil-Am Munzon, who's the top-ranked 3x3 player in the Philippines.
"It's definitely a step in the right direction in growing the game in the Philippines. It's pretty cool, from when we started the first 3x3 league in the Philippines to now that we're turning pro."
The trio, considered as some of the top amateur talents outside of the PBA, are set to gain professional 3x3 licenses as the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 League has gained professional status and will be subject to the regulations of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
"Sobrang saya kasi part ako ng pro team natin. Overwhelming ito para sa akin," said Pasaol, the Davaoeño super scorer who ranks no. 2 in the Philippines.
The Cebuano Santillan, ranked no. 6, added: "Masaya ako at sobrang excited. I'll try my best to encourage the people to play 3x3."
Trailblazers in their own right, it's on the shoulders of these studs to show that there's an alternative path for basketball players in the country through the 3x3 game.
But it's not just them, as former PBA players who are now seeing action in the first-of-its kind 3x3 league will also gain the new professional 3x3 license.
"Going pro is a fulfillment of all our dreams. Excited kami and this is a proof na yung efforts of everyone did not go in vain," said Philippines' no. 3 Dylan Ababou.
Other former PBA players who are suiting up in Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 League are Karl Dehesa, Gab Banal, and Jaypee Belencion.
GAB chair Baham Mitra said that his office is currently in the process of pinpointing who among the players will gain the new professional status in 3x3 basketball.
"We'll be asking for the recommendation of the commissioner as to which players will turn professional," he said in an online press conference on Wednesday.
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