MANILA -- Two squads will represent the Philippines in the FIBA 3x3 Moscow Challenger this weekend.
Pasig and Balanga will fly to the Russian capital in hopes of racking up as many FIBA 3x3 points as they can to inch closer to a spot for the Philippines in the inaugural Summer Olympics 3x3 event next year in Tokyo.
The Grindhouse Kings, ranked 24th in the club rankings so far, will come into the tournament as a seeded squad, and the team looks to bounce back from a dismal finish in the Kunshan Challenger.
The Risers, on the other hand, are making a return to international 3x3 play after missing out on the Kunshan Challenger.
Balanga entered the tournament as a FIBA wildcard and will go through a qualifying round for a chance to make the main tournament.
"I can guarantee that our players are mentally and physically ready for this tournament," assured Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascarinas in a press conference introducing the two squads at Crowne Plaza in Pasig on Tuesday.
Serbian reinforcement Nikola Pavlovic returns to Pasig, joining locals Joshua Munzon, Taylor Statham, and Dylan Ababou.
On the other hand, Balanga has a new ally in Chris De Chavez, completing the cast that also has Alvin Pasaol, Travis Franklin, and Karl Dehesa. (PNA)
