The Zamboanga Valientes MLV is considered to be the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Pilipinas darkhorse in the fifth leg starting on Friday at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
After making it to the semifinals in the first leg, plus a couple of playoff runs the following legs, the Valientes are aiming for the bigger prize –the grand title.
Junnie Navarro, son of philanthropist and businesswoman Cory Navarro, who also owns the team along with Mike Venezuela — said the Valientes composed of Rudy Lingganay, Gino Juamaoas, Med Salim, Arar de Leon, and Jonjon Rebollos, are on a mission under coach Joseph Romarate.
“Zamboangueños are excited to watch the future of 3×3 and we are hoping to take home the title,” said the young Navarro, a former member of the RP Youth team. “They (Valientes) are the darkhorse of this tournament, and I believe, just like the rest of the Zamboangueños, they will do whatever it takes to win each game.”
“We are so thankful that Zamboanga Valientes have the most number of fans online,” he added.
Lingganay, a former Philippine Basketball Association player, was impressive in the Valientes’ 21-11 victory over Petra Cement Rockies-Roxas ZN last Tuesday in the elimination round of the fourth leg.
Although the Zamboanga Valientes didn’t reach the semifinals of the fourth leg, Navarro remains optimistic of the Valientes’ chances of pulling off a surprise in the last leg.
Navarro also praised Arar de Leon for showing the bravery and the heart of a full-blooded Zamboangueño despite playing with an injured shoulder in the fourth leg.
The team was formed 14 years ago to accommodate and give homegrown players of Zamboanga Peninsula the opportunity to show their talents nationwide. In fact, the Valientes began playing in various commercial leagues in 2006 in the National Basketball Conference and 2008 in the LIGA Pilipinas.