There will be a couple of new faces when the Second Conference of the 2022-23 PBA 3×3 Season begins on on Saturday at Robinsons Place Antipolo Extension.
Coming off a surprising third-place finish in the First Conference Grand Finals, CAVITEX loaded up, signing UAAP Season 84 Men’s 3×3 MVP Sherwin Concepcion.
Concepcion was declared ineligible for UAAP Season 85 due to him exceeding the league’s age limit.
He will be joined by Tzaddy Rangel, Bong Galanza, and Jorey Napoles.
Meanwhile, Ginebra 3×3 also tapped Filipino-American Caelan Tiongson.
However, the sweet-shooting 6-foot-5 forward’s eligibility for the level four FIBA 3×3 league has been put under protest.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, Tiongson’s Philippine passport is still being processed, and only has recognition papers.
The league is still coordinating with FIBA 3×3 if recognition papers are enough for him to be classified as a Filipino in the FIBA Play app.
Dennice Villamor will be lined up by Ginebra until Tiongson’s case is resolved.
San Miguel, who lost to Cavitex in the playoffs of the grand finale, will be parading a new recruit in Carlo De Chavez to go along with regulars Jeff Manday, Ken Bono, and Wendel Comboy.
De Chavez previously played for Pioneer Elastoseal and was a second round pick of Magnolia in the last PBA draft
Pool A meanwhile consists of guest team J&T Express, Terrafirma 3×3, and Pioneer Elastoseal, Pool B will have Purefoods TJ Titans, Meralco, and Barangay Ginebra, while bringing up the rear in Pool C is Cavitex, Blackwater, and Platinum Karaoke.
Purefoods, who failed to advance in the grand finals, added Andrew Estrella to their roster that includes Nichole Ubalde, RR De Leon, and main man Joseph Eriobu.
Defending champion TNT, who kept its core of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Ping Exciminiano, and Gryann Mendoza, is grouped with San Miguel Beer and NorthPort in Pool D.
