From playing at Robinson’s Malls to the world.
Pasig TNT has gained outright qualification to the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Macau Masters, set from July 8 to 9.
A FIBA 3×3 ruling made early this week made the opportunity possible.
In a decree by the federation, Challenger tournaments — rated level 9 — will now bring the top three finishers to the Masters tournament — a maximum-level endeavor.
Champion of the 2023 World Hoops Penang Challenger Beijing already had a ticket for Macau by virtue of being host.
This paved the way for Futian, Dusseldorf, and Pasig to gain qualification for the tournament as well.
“I am unbelievably happy and still over the moon to receive this news from FIBA,” said Triple Giga head coach Mau Belen.
It’s been a long road for TNT to enter the world stage.
(C) PBA Images
TNT dominated PBA 3×3, winning four conference titles — including a grand slam of the 2022-23 season.
(C) FIBA.basketball
However, due to the low level of the local league, the only chance the Triple Giga had to compete in high-level tournaments was during Gilas callups.
An opportunity arose for the Triple Giga when they were invited to compete in the Asia Open Tour 3×3 last April — a tourney that had a ticket to Penang as the top prize.
TNT swept the tournament en route to joining the FIBA 3×3 pro circuit.
(C) FIBA 3×3
In their debut, Almond Vosotros, Gryann Mendoza, Ping Exciminiano, and Raoul Odou put up a brave stand, going 1-1 in the group stage before shocking world-ranked NY Harlem to finish in the top four.
“Bigla nagflashback yung buong journey namin and it was never easy. Nothing is.
“But my boys truly deserve to play on the biggest stage of professional 3×3,” expressed Belen.
In Macau, they will face the best of the best in the 3×3 stage.
Also competing in Macau are Ub, Raudondvaris, Riga, Ulaanbaatar, Miami, Liman, Toronto, Marseille, Doha, and Wuxi.
And Pasig TNT can’t wait to shock the world once again.
