THE PBA 3x3 will be starting its inaugural tournament in late November, with 13 teams – 10 of which are carrying the colors of PBA member clubs – competing in the standalone competition.
Aside from giving the league a platform for the ever-growing 3x3 game, it also represents a new lease on life for the careers of a few of the players who have fallen off the radar in the five-a-side game.
Here are some of them:
NICO SALVA
Salva’s stay with Meralco where he played the longest during his seven-year PBA career came to an end last year, but the former Ateneo star who won five titles in the UAAP gets a chance in the PBA 3x3 with Limitless App owned by Phoenix Super LPG.
PAO JAVELONA
Javelona’s last PBA stint was in 2018 when he signed with GlobalPort following his stellar play with Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League. The former National University cager also suited up in the MPBL with the Bacolod Master Sardines. Now, he will play for Purefoods in the PBA 3x3.
DEXTER MAIQUEZ
Maiquez played for three years with Rain or Shine, his last season coming in 2019, and had stints with Pampanga in the MPBL and the NBL before being signed by Meralco for the 3x3 tournament.
ROIDER CABRERA
Cabrera was used sparingly in his stint with the Terrafirma franchise in 2019, but is back with the Dyip by way of their 3x3 team.
DENNICE VILLAMOR
Drafted 28th overall by Barangay Ginebra in 2015, Villamor was part of the Gin Kings’ championship team in the 2016 Governors’ Cup which turned out to be his last conference with the squad. Villamor spent a major part of his career outside the PBA with the Batangas City Athletics in the MPBL but is now back with the team that drafted him six years ago.
JOSEPH ERIOBU
Eriobu spent much of the past few years abroad, most notably playing for Hong Kong Eastern in the Asean Basketball League as a local since he was born in the former British colony. Eriobu will be playing for Sista, Rain or Shine’s 3x3 team, two years after he played for Blackwater in the 5-on-5 in 2019.
KARL DEHESA
Reportedly suiting up for Platinum, Dehesa’s last PBA stint was with Phoenix in 2018 but was left unsigned when he became part of the Calvin Abueva deal to the Fuel Masters. Dehesa played in the Chooks-to-Go 3x3 circuit and even carried the country’s colors in Fiba 3x3 competition.
DYLAN ABABOU
The former UAAP MVP is suiting up for Platinum Karaoke in the 3x3 league. A member of the original Smart Gilas squad, Ababou last played in the PBA for the Terrafirma franchise in 2018. Ababou has since suited up in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 circuit and represented the country in Fiba 3x3 World Tour Challenger competitions as well.
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