Tge Pasig Grindhouse Kings’ journey to the first-ever Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Asia Pacific Super Quest was far from a walk in the park.
For five legs in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, the Pasig quartet had huge targets on their backs, figuring in ultra-physical games day in and day out.
It not only pushed the team to their limit, but also tested their character.
In the end, it was all worth it. Last Sunday, the Kings punched their ticket to the Super Quest and the 2019 FIBA World Tour Masters Doha, while bringing home the PHP 1,000,000 grand prize at the same time.
The juice is certainly worth the squeeze.
“This is my first championship here in the Philippines. Everyone put in the hard work, which pushed me to find my next level. It was a long season, but I’m glad about how it ended,” expressed Rike, as Pasig only lost twice in the 23 games they played.
“Feels good. We put in a lot of hard work, extra hours. For everything to pay off, it’s definitely satisfying,” added Munzon, the country’s top 3×3 player.
For the three Filipino-Americans – all of whom were either born or raised in California – it has always been their dream to represent the Philippines in international tourneys.
“It’s an honor for me to represent my motherland. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be out here,” said Munzon, who made stops in Saigon and Malaysia in the ABL before finding his way home.
“I was so happy. Representing the Philippines is my number one goal ever since. Three-x-three or five-on-five, it’s just a huge honor,” shared Rike, who is part of the 23 for 2023 Gilas Cadets and had played for Philippine club Mighty Sports in Dubai.
“The past few weeks, I’ve been talking a lot with my mom and my grandma about this opportunity to represent the Philippines. I mean, it’s just a surreal feeling to represent the Philippines,” admitted Statham, who has been one of the best forwards in the Thailand Basketball Super League over the past three years.
Come this weekend at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall, Pasig will get to see where they are in the region.
In the group stages of the Super Quest alone, they will face Indonesia’s Jakarta West Bandits at 11:40am on Saturday before taking on Taipei’s Absolute 3×3 at 3:00pm.
With only two from their pool advancing to the next round, the Pasig quartet knows that there is little to no room for error come the region’s biggest 3×3 basketball tournament.
“The work is far from done. I’m excited but I’m already thinking about what we need to win the Super Quest,” declared Statham.
“I can just promise that we will give our best for the Super Quest. I’m new to the team and I have a lot to work on with them. The next days will be important for our team,” disclosed Pasig import Nikola Pavlovic, who previously played for world no. 1 squad Novi Sad Al Wahda.
