Representing Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 this time, Hazelle Yam is even more excited for Season 3 of the Manila Hustle 3×3.
Yam, who played for Discover Perlas last year in Season 2, now has the opportunity to wear the country’s blue and white uniforms during the two-day tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Ranked No. 4 in the Philippines, Yam will team up with Camille Clarin (No. 3), Mikka Cacho (No. 8), and Jhaz Joson (No. 12), aiming to improve on their 13th-place finish from last year.
The 5-foot-5 forward from Ateneo de Manila University believes her team will be fully prepared for the February 8 event, although they know the challenge ahead will be tough.
Gilas Pilipinas is in Pool D, considered the 16-team field’s “Group of Death,” which includes defending champion Zoos Tokyo, Spain’s Panthers 3×3, and Harimau Malaysia.
The Spanish team features world No. 22 Kacie Bosch and Ari Geli, who previously played for Uratex Tibay in Season 2.
(C) FIBA.basketball
“Siyempre fun kasi we will have a lot of teams from different countries. With that being said, yun pa lang, for sure yung intensity ng games will be very high,” said Yam, fully embracing the challenge of the tournament backed by Smart Sports.
“Tulad nung sa Panthers, they have an Olympian so it’s really gonna raise the level of intensity,.”
Gilas Pilipinas recently wrapped up an intensive five-day training camp to work on team chemistry and cohesion ahead of the two-day event, which is expected to draw a packed crowd at the Music Hall.
Joson, who was part of last year’s runner-up Titans, has since joined the national team.
“I’m confident that we’ve prepared well for Manila Hustle kasi we just came out of a five-day training camp. In the mornings, we train as a team, and in the afternoons, we play games against boys and against the Japan team, so yun,” Yam expressed.
