The entire TNT Triple Giga have been left with lots of questions after being let go of its mother company shortly after the PBA 3×3’s indefinite suspension.
Coached by Mau Belen, composing the team were lead guard Almond Vosotros, Gryann Mendoza, Chester Saldua, Samboy de Leon, Matt Salem, and Ping Exciminiano.
It came on the heels of the PBA’s decision to indefinitely pause its three-a-side tournament, which began in November 2021.
They were the first to be let go among the MVP Group-owned teams. Meralco, for one, will still honor the pact of its players, while NLEX opted to elevate some of its talents such as seasoned pro Jorey Napoles to the 5-on-5 team.
It’s quite an unceremonious end for TNT, which achieved success of dynastic proportions in the PBA 3×3. The team won 19 leg titles and six grand championships, including a Grand Slam in the 2022-23 season.
Their victories domestically were all enough for the players to be called up for national team campaigns with the Gilas Pilipinas Men 3×3.
(C) FIBA.basketball
Vosotros and Co. have carried the TNT banner in various tournaments overseas as well and were able to bag a few championships.
But following their sudden sacking, all of the Triple Giga are left wondering what’s next not just for themselves, but for the 3×3 program as a whole.
There is still that option to bring their services somewhere else, but some professional 5-on-5 leagues are currently in the midst of their seasons.
The MPBL, for one, does not permit players to sign with its member teams if they aren’t included in the initial pool submitted prior to the 2024 season.
Another one the table for the group is to continue playing together. They have the Red Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals in New York this October, having earned the right to represent the country after ruling the Manila regionals last April.
A bankroller, though, would be preferred to back them up in the said tournament, something that the team hopes to get as soon as they can.
But more than anything, it’s really the direction of Philippine men’s 3×3 in general that is left in limbo.
Presently, there’s nothing for the program to call its home.
PBA 3×3’s stoppage came months after Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 paused operations indefinitely.
These recent developments have drawn a big question mark as to what’s next for the men’s program, which has long been hounded by stability issues.
Reports from Justine Bacnis and Matthew Li
