MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines’ 3×3 program received a shot in the arm after the successful hosting of the 2022 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters last week.
Through Chooks-to-Go’s holding of the event, as well as participation in the past FIBA 3×3 events, the Philippines rose nine places in the latest edition of the FIBA 3×3 World Rankings.
From ranking 27th in the world just last week, the Philippines cracked the Top 20 in the men’s rankings as the Filipinos are now World No. 18.
The jump owed to a whopping 247,158 points coming from the Manila Masters where the two Filipino squads, Manila Chooks and Cebu Chooks, ended up as quarterfinalists.
It was a valuable addition to the total points of the country which is now at 794,057.
Gaining FIBA 3×3 points is crucial to clinch spots in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas said he is optimistic of maintaining the rankings to punch their ticket to the OQT.
But after a winless campaign in the OQT last year for the Tokyo Games, Mascariñas said he is keen on sharpening the players’ skills.
“We already know the formula for us to reach the OQT having done so during the last Olympic cycle,” he said.
“Maintaining our rank will be relatively easy. The goal now is to turn our players into world-class athletes,” he added.
A good sign of Mascariñas’ efforts have already been seen as Cebu Chooks’ Mac Tallo rose in the individual rankings as well.
Tallo is now No. 72 in the world after the Manila Masters, becoming the highest ranked Filipino in the World tour era since ex-Pasig Chooks player Joshua Munzon ranked 92nd in 2019.
Mascariñas said that the company is planning to add more 3×3 players to flourish under the tutelage of coach Aldin Ayo.
“We are looking to add more players who will fit Coach Aldin Ayo’s system so that we can fill up the top 25 slots in the country,” said Mascariñas.
Currently, Chooks cagers make up the top eight players in the Philippines.
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