RARING to bolster its pool for the remainder of the FIBA 3×3 season, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 has added two do-it-all players.
Vince Tolentino and Dave Ando were signed to three-year deals as full-time 3×3 cagers last Tuesday night at the Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc.’s office at Taipan Place in Ortigas.
“As promised, we will be giving our new head coach Chico Lanete all the resources he needs to be successful in his first foray as head coach,” Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas said.
“With Vince and Dave, he will have players that are as versatile as they come both in offense and in defense. And both players are what we are looking for — players that stand at least 6-foot-4 and show no fear on defense,” he added.
New Chooks 3×3 head trainer Chico Lanete is convinced the addition of Tolentino and Ando will boost the pool.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi sobrang all-out ang suporta at tiwala sa akin nila boss Ronald at ng Chooks-to-Go,” Lanete, who will still suit up for Manila Chooks this season, said.
“Pero patuloy pa rin ang paghanap namin ng players para umangat pa tayo sa FIBA 3×3 rankings at umabot sa Paris Olympics.”
The team is toughening up for the coming FIBA 3×3 Penang Challenger on Sept. 10 to 11, the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Invitational Quest in Laguna on Sept. 16, and the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Cebu World Tour Masters on Oct. 1 to 2.
Tolentino, 29, is a 6-foot-5 forward who came off a three-year stint in the PBA.
“I am very excited about this opportunity. This will be my first time experiencing the 3×3 environment and I will do my best to adapt as quickly as possible,” the former Ateneo player said.
“Having a chance to represent the country is something that motivates me to do whatever I can to put the team in a position to win. Personally, I want to prove that I can contribute and play at the international level. Of course, the goal is to win as many games as possible and hopefully give the Philippines a shot to play in the Olympics.”
Ando, 22, is a lanky 6-foot-7 big man who played for University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP.
“Malaking bagay ito sa career ko kasi ibang level na po ito. Nirerepresent ko na po iyong ating bansa kaya gagawin ko ang best ko every game para masuklian ang tiwala ni boss Ronald at ni coach Chico,” Ando said.
“Kahit galing pa lang ako sa UAAP, talagang nagtiwala ang Chooks-to-Go sa akin sa malaking responsibilidad na ito. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanila.”
