FORMER PBA player James Martinez is set to play for Makabayan Pilipinas in the 3×3 Basketball Air Sea Land Phuket 2025 in Thailand on March 13-14.

Martinez, who will also serve as the playing coach, will team up with 6-foot-6 Grant Ackermann of the United States, Moo Aparnon, Ekgarin Pronphukhiew, Yingjarern Athiarpanon, and John Lee Valin of Thailand withWowie Escosio as reserve

“I think we can go all the way to the championship. Yun talaga ang target namin, pati na yung top prize na100k baht. Pero underdog pa din kami lalo na halos 5×5 yun sinasalihan namin,”said the 5-foot-9 Martinez.

“Sana lang umabot kami hanggang dulo. We will just do our best para sa Pilipinas. Iba din kasi talaga pakiramdam kapag dala mo yun Philippine flag,” added Martinez

The hard-working guard is grateful to those who believe and support him and his team.

“Gusto ko lang pasalamatan yun mga patuloy na sumusuporta sa amin. Si boss Keir De Leon ng MEBL, JR Guevara ng EOG, Jett Maronilla ng MC Sports Management, JB Baylon, Lester Pascua ng Nickel Asia Corporation, boss BC Magic, and boss Gino. Pati na si Pawlo Misolas ng Sprinto Shades,” he added.

Martinez, who was selected as the No. 18th overall by Barangay Ginebra in the 2011 PBA Draft, last played for Pureblends Similan Black Fox in the recently-concluded Pilipinas Super League.

The former University of the East standout, however, is no stranger to the basketball scene in Thailand, having won a championship with Phuket Waves in the Thailand Basketball League.

Their opponents include Ares BKK, Larimar, and VCR from Thailand, as well as Century from Malaysia.

Makabayan will face VCR at 6:40 p.m. (7:40 p.m. Philippine time), followed by Larimar at 7:10 p.m. (8:10 p.m. Philippine time), and Ares BKK at 8:10 p.m. (9:10 p.m. Philippine time) on March 13 while Century at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Philippine time) on March 14.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya