TNT tests its mettle against some of the top teams in the region when the Asia Tour 3×3 is held in Manila this weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Already the gold standard in the local front, the Mau Belen-mentored side is looking to extend its dominance in the inaugural leg of the brand new 3×3 competition.
Samboy de Leon joins the fray for TNT as he teams up with Ping Exciminiano, Gryann Mendoza, and Beninese import Raoul Odou.
TNT is one of six Philippine clubs seeing action in the men’s division, the others being PBA 3×3 team Cavitex Braves as well as Happy Hotels, Gameville, Demigod, and Zamboanga Valientes.
Tonino Gonzaga is joined by Kenneth Ighalo, Marion Magat, and Dominick Fajardo for the Braves, while Keith Datu, Nico Salva, Yutien Andrada, and TH Tumalip banner Happy Hotels.
Gameville will have Ryan Monteclaro and Mike Nzeusseu, Demigod will lean on Paolo Hubalde and Chris de Chavez, and Zamboanga Valientes has Chibueze Ikeh up front.
The international teams are also raring to make a strong impression with the Singapore Lions and Vietnam Red & Gold also participating.
Club teams from all over the region are also well represented, with Harimau Malaysia fielding two teams, as Ting Chun Hong anchors Harimau A and Heng Yee Tong steers Harimau B. Malaysian club Rising Star will have Congolese big man Tychique Bosango leading the way, while Vietnamese crew The Performance Lab will bank on Dominique Tham and American reinforcements Nigel Thomas and Joshua Keyes.
Pool A is composed of Zamboanga, Gameville, and Harimau A; Pool B has Happy Hotel, Demigod, and Rising Star; Pool C has Cavitex, VN Red & Gold, and Singapore Lions; and Pool D is comprised of TNT Triple Giga, The Performance Lab, and Harimau B.
The top teams in each group will earn an outright quarterfinals berth while the second and third-ranked teams will play in a crossover knockout stage, with last eight slots up for grabs.
Winners advance to the semifinals and the championship game, with the champion taking home the $10,000 cash prize.
