CHOOKS-to-Go sports and marketing director Mel Macasaquit yesterday said they are eyeing to hold two FIBA 3×3 Masters tournaments this year in the country, with the Manila Chooks TM squad raring to prove its worth in both events.
“For the first quarter this year, magkakaroon ng ‘Super Quest.’ It is already confirmed, 12 countries will participate, including us,” Macasaquit told Malaya-Business Insight.
“We are in the process of rebuilding and strengthening our team now kasi dalawang teams ang binubuo namin,” he added.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 was set to release the final dates of its busy calendar for the year yesterday after finalizing the details in a meeting with the FIBA 3×3.
The hardworking sportsman said what gnaws at them is the situation in Cebu after the Queen City was pummeled by typhoon “Odette” late last year.
“Uunahin namin ang international kasi kailangan namin gumawa ng qualifier, so most likely, early April mag-start ito. Ang obligation namin is to really have qualifiers for the Cebu and Manila Masters,” Macasaquit said.
“Ang challenging lang kasi checking the situation of Cebu, it’s not the same Cebu. There’s a possibility na i-consider namin ang ibang lugar kapag hindi pa okay sa Cebu, kasi ang sabi ng mga kakilala naming Cebuano, they’re not really back to normal yet. Back to normal meaning wala pang kuryente ang mga lugar doon. Noong ‘Odette’ sila ang center noon.
Iyong venue namin outside of SM seaside, medyo nilimas ni ‘Odette’ kaya nakakalungkot.”
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 has sent teams to four FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters tournaments even with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
While the results have not been favorable, with the team going 1-1 in the qualifying draw of the Doha Masters and going winless in the main draw of both the Montreal and Abu Dhabi Masters, the firm has been unrelenting in its commitment in 3×3 play in the country with the hopes of sending a team to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
