ANTIPOLO – Joseph Eriobu will make his second tour of duty in the Southeast Asian Games 3x3 men’s basketball tournament in Thailand with a lot of motivation.
Eriobu was part of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 squad that lost in the gold medal match to a Cambodia squad that fielded three naturalized players team on their home court.
The now Magnolia player is back with the goal of finally taking that gold after settling for a silver in the last edition.
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“Kailangan natin talagang makabawi doon eh,” said Eriobu. “Kasi sa totoo lang, ‘yung 2023 SEA Games, hindi natin deserve ‘yung silver na ‘yun eh. So, para sa amin, gold talaga. And this coming 33rd SEA Games, talagang gagawin namin yung lahat para makuha ‘yung gold.”
Eriobu teamed up with Almond Vosotros, Joseph Sedurifa, and Lervin Flores during that Cambodia SEA Games.
For this year, Eriobu teams up once again with Sedurifa and will now be joined by naturalized player Ange Kouame and UAAP MVP Janrey Pasaol.
Eriobu said he got a call from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3x3 director Ronnie Magsanoc asking if he would be interested to run it back and play in the SEA Games again.
The 33-year-old Eriobu is thankful that Magnolia also allowed him to play for the Gilas 3x3 squad. Eriobu also won’t be missing any games with the Hotshots as he will leave for Bangkok on Monday and will return to Manila on December 12, hopefully with a gold medal.
He will also be joining the Hotshots for their game against Rain or Shine on December 15 in Bahrain.
“Sobrang thankful nga ako at sobrang blessed kasi nakakalaro pa,” said Eriobu, who played on Friday in the PBA when Magnolia went up against Converge.
“Today, nakalaro ako. And then, Sunday, makakalaro ako. Tapos makakabalik ako ng 12, then lilipad ng 13 sa Bahrain. Ang mamimiss ko talaga ‘yung practice pero may basbas naman ‘yun ni Boss Al (Chua), Gov Jason (Webb) at Coach LA (Tenorio),” said Eriobu.
In the past few weeks, Eriobu has been practicing twice with Magnolia and the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team. Eriobu admitted it took a while for him to get used to the game again.
“Actually, nung unang linggo, sobrang hinihingal ako. And then, after one week, okay na kaagad. And then, pumayat nga ako eh. Sobrang laki nga ng piniyat ko eh. Kasi syempre, iba ‘yung game weight ng 3x3 tsaka iba yung game weight ng 5x5.
"Actually, mas gusto ko ngayon, medyo, mas light ‘yung galaw ko kasi yun nga, laki nga na binawas ko,” said Eriobu.
The weight loss appeared to have translated into a good performance on Friday where he had seven points, three rebounds, and two assists in just six minutes of action.
“I’m just being ready lang. And I know how many games na ako hindi nagamit, but being professional, ganun talaga,” said Eriobu, who only played three games prior to Friday.
“So, sabi ko sa sarili ko, basta tawagin ako ni Coach LA, I'll be ready,” said Eriobu.
The Philippines will play Vietnam and Malaysia on December 10, and Laos on December 11 in the group stage. Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar are in the other group.
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