Uratex Dream back stronger, wiser, says Pingol

MANILA, Philippines -- Kaye Pingol and the rest of the Uratex Dream will be banking on the lessons learned from the early exit they experienced in last year's edition of the Manila Hustle 3x3.

The Dream bowed out of the competition early in last year's edition, and this time around, Pingol and the team are coming for blood.

"We learned a lot from that experience, and I saw that the team really improved a lot from that," Pingol, a former National University Lady Bulldog, said.

In February last year, the Lady Macbeth Riots ruled the Manila Hustle 3x3 after winning over the Army Altama in the finals.

Uratex Dream finished third to the last in the tournament held February 2023.

Since then, the Uratex Dream won the Philippine leg of Red Bull Half Court National Finals and even reached the quarters of the World Final. They also got to the semifinals of Asia Tour 3 x 3.

The team also won the WMovement's First 3x3 Elite Invitational Tournament.

"The other international tournaments were a big help for us, because we fought top teams and top players there, which gave us a taste of a very high level of competition," Pingol said.

"Because of that, our confidence, skills and intensity are high, which is why we are excited to perform now," he added.

Pingol will be joined by Sam Harada, Shanda Anies and Chinese center Li Renzhu in the team for the upcoming three-a-side tournament.