Pasig Chooks-to-Go and Liman are set to cross paths anew.
First facing off during the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Doha Masters, the Filipino ball club and the Serbian powerhouse are set for another battle in the level-nine FIBA 3X3 tourney, Huaqiao International Kunshan Challenger slated from May 18-19 in China.
Pasig Chooks is grouped in Pool A with Liman of Serbia, along with Russian team Sosnovy BorCopRosatom.
This looming match-up is definitely one to look forward to in the tourney that serves as the qualifier for the Chengdu Masters, given what had transpired in their last meeting that highlighted the first day of the Doha Masters.
Pasig Chooks shockingly took down then-world number one Liman, 19-16.
Eyes are on Pasig Chooks if they will be able to replicate such, but they might find it tougher to do so this time around as they will not have the services of imports Angelo Tsagarakis and Nikola Pavlovic no thanks to injuries.
Pavlovic is nursing a swollen left hand while Tsagarakis is still recovering from a semi-fractured rib, which he sustained during the Doha Masters.
Without the two World Tour veterans, Pasig Chooks will be fielding the team that won the inaugural Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup—Joshua Munzon and Taylor Statham will be rejoined by Troy Rike and Dylan Ababou.
“I have the utmost confidence in Troy and Dylan,” said Statham, who had nine points in the game to go along with five rebounds. “We played together for four months and it doesn’t matter how good players are, the team camaraderie is what’s so important. And you can’t replicate the experience.”
Munzon and Statham know that it will be challenging without Pavlovic and Tsagarakis, but that does not mean they are losing confidence with their chances against Liman. Their experience with one another will play a big factor, they said.
“We won the local league championship together so I feel like we have that chemistry,” furthered Munzon, who chipped in four markers against Liman. “Experience is everything in 3×3. We definitely hope they get their rhythm and can contribute and do their thing too.”
Pasig opens their campaign against Sosnovy today at 5:55 pm before taking on Liman at 7:40 pm.
The top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout playoffs tomorrow.
The winner of the tournament will bring home a ticket to the Chengdu Masters and US$15,000. Second place pockets US$10,000, while third and fourth-placed squads will go home with US$5,000 and US$2,000, respectively.
Games will be shown live over at FIBA 3X3’s Youtube channel.