D-League star Trevis Jackson eyes Philippine 3x3 roster spot

MANILA, Philippines — A day after Chooks-to-Go announced that the company and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are holding a nationwide tryout for a full-time men's national 3x3 basketball team, there was one aspirant who quickly threw his name into the mix.

PBA D-League standout Trevis Jackson went to Bounty Agro Venture's office Wednesday to declare his intention to take part and join Kobe Paras in the National Team.

But the 5-foot-11 floor general, who played for the Marinerong Pilipino-TIP Engineers during the 2018 PBA D-League Foundation Cup, knows that nothing is set in stone yet. Still, it's a risk worth taking for him.

"Nothing is for sure yet,  I know those guys [in Chooks-to-Go] are doing the best they can to recruit," shared the 22-year-old Filipino-American, who averaged 16.7 points, and also registered 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals last conference. "I can tell they’re working hard just by being in the atmosphere and how organized they are.

"If they choose me to compete for them I’d be more than happy to give it my all day in and day out representing the country."

Donning the country's colors has been a dream of Jackson ever since he was attending college in Sacramento State.

Back in 2016, the California-born cager and the Sacramento State Hornets took part in the Jones Cup. When they faced Philippine-representatives Mighty Sports, Jackson recalled wishing that he would one day represent his motherland as well.

"It’s always been a dream of mine to wear a Pilipinas jersey and play for something bigger than me, and bigger than basketball," shared Jackson. "I don’t want to get too excited yet, but it would be an honor of mine, to represent the Philippines.

"I fantasized about wearing a Pilipinas jersey a lot growing up, especially after we played a Philippines based team in the Jones Cup going into my senior season at Sacramento State, I was slightly jealous of those guys," added Jackson as the Hornets lost to Mighty Sports in their encounter back in July 26, 2016, 69-88.

With this opportunity, Jackson vows to do everything he can to crack the national team pool.

"My whole life I’ve been the underdog, and to be living here now and see how much heart Filipinos play with, it makes me feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be, and no longer out of place," he reflected.

At 22 years old, Jackson is also eligible to join Paras in the upcoming 2018 FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup in Xi'an, China from October 3 to 7.