BASILAN STEEL will be one of the 12 teams that will compete in the upcoming Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriots’ Cup presented by Coca-Cola.
An import-laden conference of the pioneering 3×3 league, the Patriots’ Cup will begin on June 16 at SM Seaside City Cebu.
“Actually in Basilan, we are so excited to join Chooks 3×3. Our tagline right now in the province is that we want to redefine Basilan,” said Basilan team manager Jackson Chua of their decision to join the league.
“We saw the reach of the league, and how wide the [audience] market is for it which is in line with our goal for the province,” Mr. Chua said.
Basilan will replace the defunct-franchise Pasay Voyagers. Headlining the squad is fourth-ranked Filipino player Troy Rike, who was part of President’s Cup champions Pasig Kings.
Joining him are former Voyager Roosevelt Adams (Philippines no. 17), debuting Filipino-American guard Franky Johnson, and American import Marcus Hammonds.
“The tournament features a lot of Filipino-Americans and competition is very physical with good one-on-one players. We looked for versatile players and we came up with them,” said the Basilan manager of their process of selecting their players.
Now part of the league, Basilan joins the Zamboanga Valientes as the two representatives from the Mindanao region.
“We want to make the most of this opportunity to represent Mindanao. That is why we got top players for the Patriots’ Cup,” Mr. Chua said.
