ZOOS Tokyo may have won the Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 3 crown, but what’s evident is how tougher the competition has become.
It’s the general consensus for the players, especially the foreigners who were pushed to the limit not just by their peers but also our local squads.
“This competition is really great and it was a lot of fun. The level was very high and we really had to compete to win the championship,” said world No. 55 AmaDegbeon of this tourney which is co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and SamahangBasketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Indeed, it was a challenge for Zoos Tokyo to retain its throne in the Philippine women’s 3×3 international invitational that it absorbed its first ever defeat in the tilt at the hands of Gilas Pilipinas Women 3×3.
But what made competing sweeter is the warmth given by the home crowd as an appreciative audience came in troves for the two-day event at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
“I think the Philippines is a great place because the crowd was crazy especially for the national team. We really loved playing in front of these fans,” said Degbeon, as Zoos Tokyo got the better of Panthers 3×3 of Spain in the finale.
Ari Geli echoed those statements and said, “I feel like home when I return to thePhilippines. And this makes me motivated to bring the best team here in Manila Hustle 3×3.”
With the successful third season now on the rear view, the German forward is excited to be back next year and do it all over again.
“Certainly, teams are levelling up and many players from different countries are showcasing their skills,” said Degbeon.
Geli has the same plans in mind, although she promises that next year, the results would be different.
“Next year, we will win,” she vowed of this tilt, which has Titan as official partner, together with Wilson, Seiko, B’lue, Secret Fresh, BDO, Jollibee, TRYP by Wyndham, Jisulife, Rexona, Senka, and Laurin.
