TNT has no intentions of slowing down after clinching yet another PBA 3×3 conference title until the “promised reward” is fulfilled.
Triple Giga head coach Mau Belen expressed this sentiment, yearning for her team to represent the Philippines in the national colors, as she believes they have proven their capabilities over the past two years.
“Until the promised reward is given to us,” she stated shortly after their 21-18 victory over CAVITEX to secure the Season 3 First Conference title on Sunday at Market! Market! in Taguig.
“Until the promise has been fulfilled, we won’t stop winning.”
Although the TNT core of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, and Samboy De Leon has already played for Gilas 3×3 multiple times, the program has yet to feature a complete Triple Giga lineup, often incorporating other players from the PBA 3×3.
It’s worth noting that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, through 3×3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc, had announced in 2021 that the federation intended to utilize players from the league for international competitions.
As a result, “hybrid” teams were formed, like in the last two FIBA 3×3 Asia Cups. For instance, in 2022, Vosotros, Flores, and De Leon were joined by Magnolia’s Joseph Eriobu. In 2023, Vosotros and De Leon played with Jorey Napoles and Brandon Bates.
Belen is not part of the coaching staff for Gilas 3×3, which is led by Pioneer ElastoSeal mentor Lester Del Rosario.
Photo by PBA Images
The son of the late, great Aric Del Rosario was first thrust into the role when he steered his team to an unlikely run to the top of the inaugural season’s Second Conference, and has since remained in that position.
Surprisingly, Del Rosario will also guide the Under-24 Gilas 3×3 team for the Asian Games.
However, Belen has surpassed Del Rosario in terms of achievements, becoming the only female head coach in the league while leading TNT to five consecutive grand championships in addition to 13 leg titles.
With this track record, Belen can’t help but reflect, “I mean no offense, the national team head coach has won one Grand Finals and no leg [titles]. We won five grand finals and 13 leg titles. Kailangan mo na nga ng dalawang kamay para mabilang ‘yun.
“If you want real talk, my team is the best team. My players are the best players. I have the best staff. We have the most supportive management. Would these guys work doubly hard if walang suporta yan ng management? I mean sila lang, gusto lang nila maging ganyan kagaling? No. Unless that promise is fulfilled, we’re just gonna keep on winning,” she continued,
“I may sound bragging, I may sound mayabang, but that’s the truth. I am the best coach. These are the best players the 3×3 has seen for the past two years. We’ve been winning since 2021.”
Belen further emphasized that her team is well-equipped for international campaigns. For instance, the Triple Giga became the first PBA 3×3 team to participate in a FIBA 3×3 Challenger event at the Penang Challenger last June. They subsequently reached the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau Masters.
No other team from the PBA’s half-court league has participated in the FIBA 3×3 Pro Circuit to date. The only other Philippines-based team competing there is from Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.
Beyond merit, Belen also believes that TNT has been contributing significantly to the Philippines’ international rankings, working toward at least qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics’ qualifying tournament.
“‘Yung ginagawa namin is for the better good of the Philippines’ standing to have a crack in the Olympic qualifiers,” said Belen, who also steered FEU-Diliman to the first-ever UAAP Boys’ 3×3 title. “Whether we’re donning the Philippine jersey or the TNT jersey, as long as we’re earning points for the Philippines, that’s the ultimate goal. And I don’t see anyone doing that besides us.
“Thanks to the other [group – Chooks]… Whatever you call that, thank God for them, they’re doing a lot of things internationally also and earning points for us. Looking here, no one’s going internationally but us. Are they making us look like a villain because of doing that? I don’t know if someone’s thinking that or someone’s saying it.
“But all we want to do is to earn points until the end of November and just have a chance because we feel like mabigyan lang tayo ng chance dun sa Olympic qualifier na yun, we’ll do good. We’ll do really well,” she continued.
For now, Belen and TNT will continue to represent the Philippine flag to the best of their abilities. They depart on Monday night for Canada to participate in the Quebec Challenger set for next weekend, a qualifier for the FIBA 3×3 WT Cebu Masters.
“We’ll have a short celebration because tomorrow night we’re flying to Canada,” she said. “It’s a very, very sweet feeling to come out in Canada, have that confidence na kagagaling lang sa championship.
“Hopefully, we do well again playing in the international stage.”
