Manila Chooks players.
Manila Chooks vying in Yichang Challenger
MANILA Chooks 3×3 gets another chance to gain valuable playing experience and improve its world rankings when it competes in the FIBA 3×3 Yichang Challenger 2023.
To be led by the country’s No. 1 ranked 3×3 player Mac Tallo and import Marcus Hammonds, the Fiiipinos will battle world No. 11 Futian of China at 2:10 p.m. Saturday at the Quyuan Square and Mongolia’s Zaisan at 4 p.m.the following day in Pool A.
Joining Tallo and Hammonds in the level 9 tournament serving as qualifier to the Constanta World Tour Masters on Sept. 9 to 10 in Romania are Dennis Santos and Paul Desiderio.
The players are ready to rise to the occasion, according to Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas.
“We treat every tournament as a valuable tool to make our team better. This year is crucial and the points we earn in every international FIBA tournament we play in all contribute to our ultimate goal of making it to the Olympic qualifying tournament,” Mascariñas said.
“Our players have taken this to heart and are all pushing their limits towards that lofty goal.The Yichang Challenger, just like all the other tournaments, is another opportunity to sharpen our skills and fortify the solid foundation we’ve set with Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3,” added the staunchest backer of 3×3 in the country
The formidable 12-team field also includes world No. 15 Utrecht of the Netherlands and the United States’ Princeton.
At stake in the Yichang Challenger is $15,000 prize money for the champion team and a $10,000 reward for the runner up.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th runners-up will bring home consolations of US$ 6,000, US$ 5,000, and US$ 4,000, respectively.
Fans can watch the games live on Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ Facebook page and the YouTube channel of FIBA 3×3.
