OUT to show its true worth.
The Manila Chooks TM 3×3 squad tangles with Liman today in Pool D action in the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Abu Dhabi.
The match is set at 10:20 p.m.
Making the final line-up are Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Chico Lanete and Mark Yee, who replaced Cameroonian big man Mike Harry Nzeusseu.
Nzeusseu suffered a left hand injury in the recently concluded Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Manila Chooks TM battles Amsterdam at 2:45 a.m. tomorrow.
Head trainer Aldin Ayo said the squad is facing tough odds with Nzeusseu’s absence.
“Of course, Mike is a big loss for our team but it’s the situation dealt to us, but Mark is ready since he has been training with us along with Dennis (Santos), Jayvee (Marcelino), and (Ralph) Tansingco,” Ayo said yesterday.
“So today, we gave one last run-through of our system since this is the first time Mac, Chico, Zach, and Mark will be playing together,” he added.
The hulking 6-foot-6 former Lyceum standout admitted he has yet to recover from the injury.
“I’m really disappointed since I have been really looking forward to this moment for two years now. During the pandemic what I was doing was picturing me playing one day and I was picturing playing for Chooks-to-Go one day,” Nzeusseu said.
“I tried but I could not give my 100-percent if I played with this injury.”
Ayo said his charges are determined to prove they are no pushovers in the maximum level joust where the top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout playoffs.
“Of course, the goal is still to make the playoffs,” he said.
“If we stick to the system, we can upset Liman or Amsterdam.”
World No. 10 Arvin Slagter will lead Amsterdam and will be joined by Dimeo van der Horst (No. 12), Julian Jaring (No. 14), and Maksim Kovacevic (No. 15).
