By Adrian Stewart Co
New-look Manila Chooks TM aims for a strong showing when it competes in the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters starting tonight at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex in Doha, Qatar.
Led by Chico Lanete, Mark Tallo, Zachary Huang and Dennis Santos, the Manila Chooks TM will play in the qualifying draw against Graz Austria at 7:30 p.m. before following it up with match against Doha, Qatar at 8:05 p.m. before it can make it to the main draw.
Manila Chooks TM head coach Aldin Ayo is optimistic that his players will give their best as they represent the country in the world stage.
“We established a new culture and new approach. Hopefully, mag-respond mga players. For us coaches, we are doing our best also and we are grateful sa support na binibigay ng Chooks-to-Go,” said Ayo.
“All of these players are given another opportunity. So ‘yun ang malaking bagay na puwedeng hawakan ng mga players, seldom magkaroon ng second chance. They are motivated to prove that they can still play,” he added.
The 41-year-old Lanete, who is also one of the coaches of the team with head trainer Ayo, liked what he saw from the boys
“Although maliliit kami, may mga technique pa rin kami sa bawat kalaban. Nagpapasalamat kami kay Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] at sa Chooks-to-Go dahil kahit pandemic, nandun pa rin ang suporta nila,” said Lanete.
The matches of the Manila Chooks TM will be shown live at Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas Facebook page and at the official Facebook page and YouTube channel of FIBA 3X3./ASC, WDJ