3X3 imports say tougher foes await Pasig squad

It is easy to understand the wave of confidence 3X3 stars Joshua Munzon and Taylor Statham are riding on now.

The two have had successful outings in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup and the Asia Pacific Super Quest and are the country’s top two players in the Fiba 3X3 rankings.

“I think that made us ready for the physicality of the game,” said President’s Cup MVP Munzon said about the Super Quest that saw Pasig finish third.

“The President’s Cup was something that helped us understand the 3×3 game. The Super Quest was a whole other level,” added Statham.

Naturally, they are optimistic about competing in the World Tour Masters.

But Pasig imports Angelo Tsagarakis of France and Nikola Pavlovic of Serbia were quick to temper that confidence.

“The level is completely different from here and the way of playing basketball is completely different from here. It’s going to be much more physical. It’s more deliberate basketball,” said Pavlovic, who is ranked 28th in Serbia and has won three World Tour Masters with Novi Sad.

“Doha is gonna be a learning experience and a slap to the face. Whatever they faced in the Super Quest is nothing compared to what we will face in Doha,” warned Tsagarakis, France’s top player in 2015. “Nikola knows. He won the Utsonomiya [2017 World Tour Masters] leg. He understands what we are going to face.

Right in the group stages alone, Pasig Chooks-to-Go is pooled with top 3×3 team in the world Liman of Serbia and host team Katara of Qatar.