First batch of players enters Chooks 3×3 bubble

First batch of players enter the Chooks to Go 3×3 Bubble in Calamba. CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The first batch of players for the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup arrived in the league’s bubble at INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba Tuesday.

Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks’ Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol led the first seven teams that arrived in Laguna for the two-week tournament.

Other teams who arrived at INSPIRE on Tuesday were Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Bacolod Master Sardines, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Palayan City Capitals, Porac-Big Boss Cement Green Gorillas, and Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors.

“It’s all systems go for us,” said league commissioner Eric Altamirano. “We can’t wait for all our teams to be there and start playing.”

The players were tested before entering the complex and will have to undergo a two-day quarantine period inside their rooms before they can train.

A preseason tournament will start on October 19 and official games will be played on the 21st. One leg will be played every other day inside National University’s new campus.

The finals will be on Oct. 30 with the winners taking home P1 million in the Fiba 3×3-endorsed competition.

Zamboanga remains the favorites with national team players Munzon and Pasaol leading the way alongside pool members Troy Like and Santi Santillan.

Players who are now inside the bubble are Bacolod’s Anton Asistio, Chris Lalata, Choi Ignacio, Alfred Batino, and Robin Roño; Butuan’s Chico Lanete, Franky Johnson, Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza, and Chris de Chavez; Pasig’s Ced Ablaza, Jhapz Bautista, Jeckster Apinan, and Felix Apreku; Nueva Ecija’s Jai Reyes, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Gab Banal, Tonino Gonzaga, and Mac Sabellina; Palayan’s JP Sarao, Renz Palma, Clark Derige, and Bobby Balucanag; as well as Porac’s Dan Reducto, JP Belencion, Harry Petilos, and James Pado.

Dylan Ababou and Ryan Monteclaro, also of Porac, will follow tomorrow as well as the five remaining teams in Zamboanga Peninsula-Valientes MLV, Bicol 3×3 Pro, Saranggani Marlins, Pagadian City-Rocky Sports, and Petra Cement.