Barangay Ginebra team in the PBA 3×3. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Whether it’s five-a-side or three-on-three, playing for the country’s most revered PBA club hits different.
Mikey Cabahug and Hubert Cani, members of Ginebra’s 3×3 team, can attest to that.
“There’s big pressure and it’s a different kind of pressure once we wear our jersey. It’s different when we’re carrying Ginebra’s jersey because a lot of people are expecting us to show a good performance,” Cani said in Filipino on Saturday during media day for the inaugural PBA 3×3 tournament which tips off on November 20 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“Apart from the pressure, we also have to get that chip off our shoulder and give our best because Ginebra has that winning tradition,” Cabahug, son of PBA great Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, said.
Though Cabahug and Cani acknowledged the tremendous pressure that comes with wearing Ginebra’s iconic colors, they are also ready to rise to the occasion.
“This is another opportunity to prove my talent, another opportunity for us to showcase what we can do,” said Cani, who played for Ateneo and Far Eastern University in college.
“We’re going to make sure, especially to the fans, that we’re gonna fight, we’re gonna be physical and we’re gonna make them proud,” said Cabahug, who plays in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Ginebra, which will be coached by Kirk Collier in the 3×3 tournament, also has another FEU product in Ken Holmqvist and former La Salle guard Jollo Go.