SBP 3x3 director Ryan Gregorio said yesterday the success of the men’s and women’s teams in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games wouldn’t have been possible without UAAP’s cooperation. UST, Ateneo, FEU, UP and La Salle lent players for the competitions even as the UAAP season had started. Aside from UAAP, MPBL and the Biñan franchise permitted ex-UST star Nic Cabañero to play.
“It was critical to have everybody on the same page,” said Gregorio. “It’s a testament that national interest is truly a priority for us to compete at a high level. Much credit to SBP president Ricky Vargas and executive director Erika Dy for their guidance and the hard work of women’s coach Anton Altamirano and men’s coach Patrick Fran.”
In Nagoya, the women’s squad took the silver with a 5-1 record. Ateneo’s Kacey de la Rosa led the charge with 38 total points. UP’s one-and-done FilAm Kennan Ka and FEU’s Vic Pasilang added 23 each while FEU’s FilAm Amyah Espanol contributed 17. The men’s team wound up fourth with a 4-2 record. La Salle’s Luis Pablo scored 32 total points. Cabañero hit 28. UST’s Koji Buenaflor tallied 21 and La Salle’s Doy Dungo, 20.
“The first step was to discuss the schedule with FEU athletic director Mark Molina to customize the UAAP calendar to accommodate two important tournaments, the U23 World Cup and Asian Games,” said Gregorio. “For men, we practiced three to four times a week depending on players availability for about two months. We adjusted our schedule so as not to interfere with their school obligations. It was from 8 to 10 p.m. at Meralco Gym. For women, we practiced four to five times a week at the UP Community and Gameville courts. The World Cup men’s team had FEU’s Cabs Cabonillas and Jedric Daa, Adamson’s Earl Medina and Ateneo’s Malcolm Tyler. The World Cup women’s team had UP’s Louna Ozar and Yel Vingno, FEU’s Elaine Patio and Adamson’s Jam Meniano.”
Gregorio said the coaches’ cooperation was invaluable, naming La Salle’s Topex Robinson, UST’s Pido Jarencio, Biñan’s Boyet Fernandez, FEU’s Sean Chambers, Ateneo’s Louie Alas and Adamson’s Nash Racela for men and Ateneo’s RJ Navarro, FEU’s Raiza Dy, UP’s Eric Altamirano and Adamson’s Jed Colonia for women. He gave special thanks to La Salle team manager Terry Capistrano, UST’s Fr. Rodel Aligan and Alfrancis Chua and Biñan team owner Monching Talisayon.
“This was by far the best showing of our 3x3 teams in the Asian Games,” said Gregorio. “I was just full of gratitude when I spoke to our players. I thanked them for their service to our country. For men, fourth of 16 was not bad. The difference was familiarity as Korea was second in the Asia Cup and Iran was intact from the Asian Beach Games. They knew each other well. For women, this was our first participation and the silver finish was golden.”