TWO Philippine-based teams face a tall task in the 2019 Fiba 3x3 World Tour circuit Doha Masters from April 18 to 19.
Pasig, the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup champion, plays in Pool A against top 3x3 club Liman of Serbia and home crew Katara of Qatar.
Balanga, meanwhile, plays in Pool C against world No. 3 Riga Ghetto of Latvia and world No. 6 Moscow Inanomo.
The Filipinos, however, won't go to war unarmed as the two teams beefed up their rosters for the Doha Masters.
Top Filipino 3x3 players Joshua Munzon and Taylor Statham will banner Pasig Chooks and will be reinforced by former Novi Sad campaigner Nikola Pavlovic and French import Angelo Tsagarakis.
Balanga Chooks, meanwhile, have Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, Karl Dehesa and American reinforcement Travis Franklin.
The Philippines will have teams in the World Tour circuit for the first time since 2015 when Manila North featuring Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Glenn Khobuntin and Dehesa placed second in the Manila Masters and reached the World Tour Final.
"We have a huge task at hand, and that is to conquer the World Tour after missing it for the last four years," said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascarinas. "We know that this entails a lot of sacrifice for you since lalaban kayo ng Holy Week. But always remember, ang laban na ito ay para sa bayan, you are fighting for our country."
League commissioner Eric Altamirano added: "I really believe that we are sending two of the best teams for the World Tour. This will be a first time for us to compete in this high level tournament but I think this is just the start for the country."
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