The cast is finally complete for the Philippine 3×3 team that is set to represent the country in the upcoming 2017 FIBA 3×3 World Cup from June 17 to 21 in Nantes, France.
Joining Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng, and Kobe Paras is NLEX Road Warrior JR Quiñahan. Raymar Jose was initially penciled in as the fourth man but his commitments to the Cignal HD Hawkeyes did not allow him to do so.
The recently-acquired stretch big man of NLEX was cleared by both his mother team and the PBA to join the team on Tuesday morning, as none of their remaining games in the on-going PBA Commissioners Cup will be affected by the tournament.
Quiñahan, 33, is no stranger to the 3×3 game, as he is one of the pioneers of the sport.
Back in 2002, he was part of the University of Visayas Green Lancer team that became the first Philippine-based team to qualify in the Adidas Asian Streetball Championship — a ground-breaking tournament in the 3×3 scene back then.
“Nakapunta kami sa States nun as prize,” Quiñahan recalled.
“Na-meet namin sila Tracy Mcgrady at nakanood kami ng laro ng Orlando [Magic].”
“Nung nag-champion si Kuya JR dati, yun yung start ng 3-on-3 before,” Ravena added.
“It brought back a lot of memories to me. Nag-champion din ako nun nung mga eight years old [pa lang ako] — that was 12 years ago. Nakakatuwa isipin na kakampi na kami.”
The Philippines, backed by Chooks-to-Go, is slotted with hosts France, Slovenia, Romania, and El Salvador in Group B of the World Cup.
