FIBA 3×3 Manila Masters kicks off
With the top three teams in the world, expect things to get tough as Manila West starts its title-retention bid in the Manila Masters of the FIBA World 3×3 Saturday at the Orosa Atrium of Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.
Terrence Romeo, the ace shooting guard of Globalport, will return to action for Manila West as he teams up anew NLEX’s Niño Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos, and Meralco’s Rey Guevarra.
Also seeing action in the two-day event that starts at 2 p.m. are Manila North and Manila South.
Manila North will have Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel of Alaska, Karl Dehesa of Mahindra (formerly Kia) and amateur stalwart Troy Rosario of National University, while Manila South will be represented by the winners of the Talk ’N Text Tatluhan U18 national championship in Cebu.
The top three FIBA 3×3 teams, the defending world champion Novi Sad A Wahda of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ljubljana of Slovenia and Doha Qatar, will also see action.
Elimination round action is set to start at 2 p.m., and Manila West will open the Philippines’ bid when it tackles Auckland at 3 p.m. Manila North will face Beirut at 4 p.m., while Manila South plays Auckland at 5 p.m.
Manila North takes on Ljubljana at 6 p.m., while Manila West and Manila South collide in the final game at 7 p.m. The top two teams from each pool will advance in the crossover quarterfinal round Sunday.
After the Manila Masters – the FIBA 3X3 World Tour will make stops in Prague in Czech Republic (Aug. 8-9), Beijing in China (Aug. 15-16), Lausanne in Switzerland (Aug. 28-29), in Mexico (Sept. 9-10) and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (Sept. 26-27).
The FIBA 3X3 World Tour final is set in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Oct. 15-16 with the champion winning $200,000. The leg winners will receive $10,000, while in the side event Slam Dunk, which will be played Sunday, the winner will get $2,000.
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