CAN the locals prove their worth against foreign players?
That will be known today when the special one-day Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Invitational powered by TM gets going at the Laus Events Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Seven imports will suit up for six squads in the 12-team field, bannered by HeiHei Manila’s former two-time NCAA All-Defensive team member Mike Nzeusseu of Lyceum.
The 6-foot-6 Cameroonian will join Chico Lanete, Zach Huang, and Mac Tallo.
Returning to the league is 6-foot-7 Cameroonian Chibueze Ikeh, who previously played for Inoza Bulacan in the 2019 Patriot’s Cup
The former Ateneo big man will reinforce Essen Immunoboost Sarangani, a team that has Ronjay Buenafe, Paul Sanga, and Donald Gumaru.
Another returnee to the league is 6-foot-7 Cameroonian Frederick Elombi, who played for Max4-Birada Cebu back in 2019. Elombi will be joined by fellow Cameroonian Landry Sanjo, Monbert Arong, and Ralph Dinolan in ARQ Builders-Cebu.
The other imports are Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou (BRT Sumisip-Basilan), Nigerian Henry Iloka (RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija), and Eugene Toba (Pasig Kingpins).
“We opened up the one-day Invitational tournament that we have to imports for the sole reason that these former student-athletes have not played for such a long time and have been stranded in our country since the pandemic,” Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league owner Ronald Mascariñas said.
“This will also help our local players in adjusting to the global FIBA 3×3 game as there are a lot of skilled 6-foot-6 and above players in those competitions,” he added.
Basilan will also have Junjie Hallare, Shaq Alanes, and Darwin Lunor; Nueva Ecija has Ian Dela Torre, Ichie Altamirano, and King Importante; while Pasig features Ryan and Nikki Monteclaro along with Jaypee Belencion.
