Over at the MPBL, the Bataan Risers are currently the top dogs in the league, boasting an impressive 20-2 record.
Already making waves in the 5-on-5 scene, the brass of the Risers are making sure that their 3×3 squad won’t be left behind.
Headlining the squad are four collegiate standouts in UE Red Warrior Alvin Pasaol, Adamson Soaring Falcon Sean Manganti, DLSU Green Archer workhorse Santi Santillan, and Ateneo Blue Eagle Anton Asistio.
Though Pasaol – who towed the UE Red Warriors to the Finals of the first-ever UAAP 3X3 Basketball Tournament – is expected to lead the Risers, team owner Antony Zubiri made sure that each of his players is capable of serving as leaders of his team.
“Actually all of them are capable leaders. It’s just a matter of chemistry between the players and shifting leadership on the fly,” Zubiri opined. “We would like them to assume leadership positions when they are able to.
“There is no strong nor weak player and we designed it to be that way.”
Also joining Bataan is Chito Jaime, a 6-foot-4 bruiser who was the 14th overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft. For Zubiri, Jaime – who is a native of Bataan – will be tasked to be the young Risers’ mentor in this tournament.
For the first leg of the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, Bataan is in the leg’s so-called group of death, since it is joined by rivals Bacoor Strikers and Quezon City-Zark’s Jawbreakers.
Though the expectations are high for Bataan, Zuburi wants his squad to enjoy the tournament. If they do, the results will follow.
“We want to enjoy the game. If you enjoy the game, hopefully, we can perform well,” he shared.
“As you’ve seen with the Risers, we have been going all out in building it from the ground up. This is the same mindset we are using with the Risers 3×3 team.”
