NO doubt about it: odds will be stacked against the five Philippine teams competing in the Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 4.
Rather than fold under pressure, the Filipina ballers are taking on the challenge head on, as they compete in the Philippine women’s 3x3 international invitational this Feb. 7 and 8 at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
“Yung competition, mas mahirap this season. But I’m very confident naman with our team kasi kasama namin yung mga veterans,” said Kacey dela Rosa, the Season 1 MVP who will lead the charge for Gilas Pilipinas Women Suns.
Indeed, it’s a tall task for the five Philippine crews, namely Gilas Pilipinas Women Suns and Stars, Uratex Dream and Tibay, and Pilipinas Aguilas, as they try to stand out in this 16-team field which has Uratex, Smart, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as partners.
But the rewards are definitely worth it, with all of them targetting not just the USD4,000 cash prize awaiting the champion, but more importantly, the elusive ticket to the 2026 FIBA 3x3 WSeries Shanghai Stop in May for Manila Hustle 3x3 is now considered as a FIBA 3x3 Women's Series Qualifier for the first time.
“Very competitive ngayong season dahil yung prize is magka-qualify sa Women’s Series. Mas pressured kami ngayon, pero ready naman kami lagi,” said Kaye Pingol of Uratex Dream.
To that, Hazelle Yam of Gilas Pilipinas Women Stars quipped: “For me, no matter what the prize is, we’ll prepare very well for what’s ahead.”
Fired up field
Dela Rosa will lead Gilas Women Suns together with Mikka Cacho, Gabi Bade, and Cheska Apag, while Gilas Women Stars will have Yam, Tantoy Ferrer, Jamanah Meniano, and Amyah Espanol.
Pingol, the top-ranked 3x3 player in the country, will spearhead the Dream with Afril Bernardino, Sam Harada, and Chinese center Renzhu Li; Uratex Tibay is composed of CC Junsay, Justine Domingo, Mar Prado, and Singaporean reinforcement Kang Yi Tan; and Pilipinas Aguilas round out the local crew trotting out Jhaz Joson, Stefanie Berberabe, Camille Malagar, and naturalization candidate Elizabeth Means.
“It takes time and takes an ecosystem to grow this tournament,” said tournament director Peachy Cheng-Medina of this famed tilt which has Titan, B’lue, and Lanson Place as presenters.
Defending back-to-back champion Zoos Tokyo of Japan banners the foreign teams which also has returnees Hansol Remicon of Korea and Shoot It Dragons of Thailand, and debutants Flowlish Gunma of Japan, CTBC Unity Fire of Chinese Taipei, the New Zealand national team, Valencia Basket 3x3 of Spain and Southeast Asian teams Hanoi Basketball of Vietnam, Selangor EST Jersey of Malaysia, CT Tigers of Thailand, and the Singaporean national team.
The Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 4 also has Wilson, Secret Fresh, Jollibee, and Laurin MCT Oil as sponsors.
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