During the off-season of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, Chris De Chavez has been training with Pasig and Balanga Chooks-to-Go as they prep for various international 3×3 tournaments.
Besides having a workout for the upcoming Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriots’ Cup, the 29-year-old was using this as a way to grab a free meal.
“It’s funny that I used to joke around coach Anton [Altamirano]. I used to go to practice for the free dinner but now I’m headed to Russia.”
De Chavez, who was drafted as the 25th overall pick in the 2017 PBA Draft but never played a game, was named as one of the four players of Balanga in the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Tinkoff Moscow Challenger.
And for him, it’s the break he has been waiting for.
“It’s definitely an honor. Truly one of the biggest moments in my basketball career because this will be my first time to represent the Philippines.
“Actually, going to Chooks-to-Go, I had no expectations at all. I just go to practice as an off-season work out. But I guess coach Eric and coach Anton [Altamirano] saw that I was there consistently,” the product of Ateneo said.
“Two weeks before this whole thing happened, they told me that I was going to Russia. I took it very lightly but deep down, I was super happy about this,” he expressed.
Back in the President’s Cup, De Chavez was one of the breakout players of the league, providing the thrilling plays for the Valenzuela Classic.
De Chavez though knows that the Challenger is a different animal. Moreover, Balanga has to go through the gauntlet as they need to top a group that includes Odessa and Balanga before advancing to the tournament proper.
Despite the tough task ahead, the 6-foot-1 swingman knows that he and his team are ready for it.
“I think we are all shooters. I think our biggest advantage is our two-point shooting. The two-point shot is really important in this game,” said De Chavez.
“It’s gonna be super tiring but we need to push through all our fatigue. I know how hard and how physical this game is. Hopefully, we get some wins and see how it goes.”
