Admittedly, the Marikina Shoemasters left out a slot in their six-man roster for the upcoming 2019 Chooks-to-Go President’s Cup.
Coach Elvis Tolentino fielded a line-up led by Ralph Deles. Joining the former CSB Blazer are young guns JC Po, Dexter Mescallado, Matt Gines, and former Perpetual Altas player Irvin Mendoza.
For their sixth man, the team is still waiting for Gerald Anderson to clear up his schedule for the six-leg 3×3 tourney.
“Alam ko lalaro siya, pero naka-depende pa sa schedule niya,” shared Mascallado.
But even without Anderson – who has been tearing it up in the MPBL – the young Shoemasters believe they can compete against the league’s powerhouse teams. After all, the core of Po, Mescallado, and Gines have been running the 3×3 circuit, including winning the Black Mamba 3×3 tournament last year.
“Naglaro na kami dati sa Mamba 3×3 just a few months ago. Champion kami dun,” said Mescallado.
“Kasama ko sila doon, pero iba yung experience dito kasi malalaki yung kalaban. Dito mas kilala rin yung players,” added Po.
The Shoemasters are grouped with the Bulacan Kuyas and the Pasig-Grindhouse Kings in Pool B of the first leg on Saturday.
Though the climb will be tough, the Marikina trio plan to use their youth as their advantage.
“Gagamitin naming advantage yung youth namin. Sa tingin namin, kailangan namin bilisan yung laro at bring a lot of energy,” declared Po.
“Mukang mahihirapan kami kakayanin,” added Mescallado.
