Wanting their budding rivalry to extend to the halfcourt, both the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles did not hold back with their lineups for the upcoming UAAP Season 81 Men’s 3×3 Basketball Tournament.
UP’s roster is a dream team of sorts, consisting of FIBA 3×3 veterans Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, and Juan Gomez de Liano, together with Javi Gomez de Liano.
The Blue Eagles, on the other hand, will field a formidable quartet in Thirdy Ravena, Matt Nieto, Angelo Kouame, and Matthew Daves.
Defending champions FEU Tamaraws will bring back Ino Comboy and Kenneth Tuffin back. Joining the duo are Alec Stockton and Clifford Jopia.
The UST Growling Tigers, who did not field a team last season, will feature the foursome of Renzo Subido, Soulemane Chabi Yo, Dave Ando, and Rhenz Abando.
Adamson (Jerrick Ahanmisi, Simon Camacho, Jerom Lastimosa, and Keith Zaldivar), DLSU (Jordan Bartlett, Mark Dyke, Christian Manaytay, and Encho Serrano) and NU (Daniel Chatman, JV Gallego, Michael Malonzo, and Karl Penano) complete the field.
The UE Red Warriors have opted to not join the tournament.
Last season, FEU defeated UE, 21-13, in the finals.
The two-day event will take place on March 2 to 3 at the Ayala Feliz Mall.