Chooks to go president Ronald Mascarinas and MBPL owner Manny Pacquiao. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Chooks to Go Pilipinas thanked boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for helping the push to get the Philippines to the Fiba Olympic Qualifying tournament by supporting the first season of the 3×3 tournament.
Pacquiao, who is also the owner of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, allowed players from his league to participate in the 3X3 league even if the two organizations staged games on the same day.
“Our league will forever be grateful to Senator Manny as he did not bar his teams from joining us,” said owner Chooks to Go owner Ronald Mascariñas. “He also made sure to allow players to still play even when we and the MPBL had game days on the same day.”
It was Mascariñas’ Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3X3 that elevated the Philippines in the Fiba 3X3 rankings starting from no. 59 in the world in February of 2019 to no.20.
This sudden rise in the world rankings helped the Philippines become a part of the first Fiba 3X3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in March of 2020.
Pacquiao commended Mascariñas and his league’s efforts in revitalizing the 3X3 scene in the Philippines and giving the nation a shot at the Olympics.
“Congratulations to Chooks to Go for spearheading the country’s bid in the OQT. You all know that I am willing to support anything for the country,” said Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight-division World champion, in Filipino.
“We’re talking about the Olympics here, this is a chance we can’t pass up because this is also for our countrymen,” added Pacquiao who’s the current WBA Super World welterweight champion.