ANTIPOLO — To this day, Joseph Eriobu believes that the Philippines should have won gold in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ men’s 3×3 competitions.
The country, in his words, didn’t deserve to settle for silver. So he couldn’t be more grateful to get the chance to write redemption after his call-up to banner Gilas Men in the 2025 edition in Thailand.
“Kasi kailangan natin talagang makabawi roon eh,” he said.
“Kasi sa totoo lang, ‘yung 2023 SEA Games, hindi natin deserve ‘yung silver na ‘yun eh.“
Eriobu admitted that to reporters on Friday night, days after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced the squad for the 33rd SEAG 3×3 tilt.
It’s clear how excited the former Mapua Cardinal feels for the opportunity, as he never thought that it would knock on his door again.
The last time he played the halfcourt game was in the 32nd SEAG in Cambodia, after which he signed with Magnolia ahead of PBA Season 48.
But as fate would have it, long-time SBP 3×3 coach Ronnie Magsanoc wanted some of his most trusted wards to lead the Philippines’ campaign — the reason why he reached out to the 33-year-old winger.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Luckily for the PBA legend, Eriobu was quick to say yes, and they faced no issues after receiving the blessing of the SMC top brass.
“Akala ko hindi na ‘ko magkakaroon ng chance makalaro,” the former PBA 3×3 champion said. “And I was surprised na Coach Ronnie called me, texted me na kung gusto ko raw ba maglaro. So, ginrab ko ‘yung chance na ‘yun.”
It wasn’t too hard for Eriobu to agree, as the heartbreak of 2023 continues to linger within him even up to now — a disappointment which he shares with his then-teammates Almond Vosotros, Joseph Sedurifa, and Lervin Flores.
The all-Filipino squad went all the way to the Final, but couldn’t finish the story. They bowed to the hosts in a 20-15 defeat.
That Philippine team lost to a side that featured Brandon Peterson, Darrin Dorsey, and Sayeed Pridgett, also spoiling what could have been a perfect tourney. They had swept their way into the Big Dance, only to fall short in the end.
Two years later, and both Eriobu and Sedurifa got themselves a shot at striking gold. The two form half of the four-man crew, the others being naturalized center Ange Kouame and FEU Tamaraws star Janrey Pasaol.
“Para sa amin, gold talaga,” he recalled.
“And this coming 33rd SEA Games, gagawin namin ‘yung magagawa namin para makuha ‘yung gold.”
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Joseph Eriobu is out for redemption in his second stint with Gilas 3×3 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/e6UfklGjTF
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