Tough task ahead for ‘underdog’ Manila Chooks in Doha Masters qualifying
Manila Chooks TM participating in Fiba 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters. CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Manila Chooks TM will bank on its speed and shooting when it takes on much bigger foes in the 2021 Fiba 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters from March 26 to 27 at Al Gharafa Sports Complex.
With an entirely new set of players, Manila Chooks faces a tough task against Austria’s Graz and host Doha on Friday night.
Bannering Manila Chooks are former pros Chico Lanete and Mac Tallo, who will team up with Zachy Huang and Dennis Santos.
“Since we lack size since our big men have been affected by the quarantine measures here, we will be utilizing our speed and shooting,” said Lanete.
“We are heading into Doha with an underdog mindset.”
Graz will have 6-foot-6 Matthias Linortner, who is Austria’s fourth-ranked player, 6-foot-2 Mortiz Lanegger, 6-foot-9 Fabricio Vay and 6-foot-7 Filip Krämer.
Doha will also have no shortage in size in 6-foot-5 Babacar Dieng, 6-foot-7 Abdelrahman Yehia Abdelhaleem, 6-foot-10 Souley Ndour and its No. 11-ranked player in Faisal Abuissa.
The top team will advance to the tournament proper and join USA’s NY Harlem and Princeton in Pool D.
NY and Princeton are ranked No. 4 and 5 in the world club rankings, respectively. Pool games will also be played on March 26.
The Fiba 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters is a maximum-level (level 11) event. The champion will be awarded US$ 40,000.
