Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 has signed two versatile players to beef up its pool for the second half of the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Pro Season.
Vince Tolentino and Dave Ando signed three-year deals to be full-time 3×3 basketball players with the country’s premier pool on Tuesday evening.
The signing was held at Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc.’s office at Taipan Place in Ortigas Center.
“As promised, we will be giving our new head coach Chico Lanete all the resources he needs to be successful in his first foray as head coach,” said Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas.
“With Vince and Dave, he will have players that are as versatile as they come both in offense and in defense. And both players are what we are looking for — players that stand at least 6-foot-4 and show no fear on defense,” added the godfather of Philippine 3×3.
Tolentino, 29, is a 6-foot-5 forward who is coming off a three-year stint in professional 5-on-5 basketball.
“I am very excited about this opportunity. This will be my first time experiencing the 3×3 environment and I will do my best to adapt as quickly as possible,” said the Ateneo product.
“Having a chance to represent the country is something that motivates me to do whatever I can to put the team in a position to win. Personally, I want to prove that I can contribute and play at the international level. Of course, the goal is to win as many games as possible and hopefully give the Philippines a shot to play in the Olympics,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Ando, 22, is a lanky 6-foot-7 big who is coming off a four-year stay with University of Santo Tomas.
“Malaking bagay ito sa career ko kasi ibang level na po ito, eh. Nirerepresent ko na po ‘yong ating bansa kaya gagawin ko ang best ko every game para masuklian ang tiwala ni Boss Ronald at ni Coach Chico,” said the young Cebuano. “Kahit galing pa lang ako sa UAAP, talagang nagtiwala ang Chooks-to-Go sa akin sa malaking responsibilidad na ito. Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa kanila.”
Lanete will soon announce where Tolentino and Ando will play, either Cebu Chooks! or Manila Chooks!
The team is preparing for the upcoming FIBA 3×3 Penang Challenger (September 10-11), Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Invitational Quest in Laguna (September 16), and, of course, the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Cebu World Tour Masters (October 1-2).
“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi sobrang all-out ang suporta at tiwala sa akin nila Boss Ronald at ng Chooks-to-Go,” expressed Lanete, who will still play for Manila Chooks this season. “Pero patuloy pa rin ang paghanap namin ng players para umangat pa tayo sa FIBA 3×3 rankings at umabot sa Paris Olympics.”
