Cebuano Santillan of 1Bataan Risers sets eye on 3×3 hoops in Doha

Cebuano Forward Leonard Santillan has learned from his endgame gaffes in his team’s loss to Tokyo Dime. |Courtesy of Chooks to Go

CEBU CITY — Cebuano forward Leonard Santillan has already moved past his endgame gaffes that cost the 1Bataan Risers the title in the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Asia Pacific Super Quest on Sunday and is already looking forward to competing in the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters in Doha, Qatar.

The 6-foot-5 Santillan — a product of the University of the Visayas Green Lancers — was called for a technical foul for a delay of game violation after he refused to pick up the ball as Travis Franklin was calling for a timeout that Bataan didn’t have. 

Santillan also committed a defensive lapse that eventually led to Masahiro Komatsu scoring the game-winning basket with 33 seconds left in Bataan’s 20-22 defeat in the title game.

But a day after that loss, Santillan is already past the loss and is excited to showcase what the Filipinos are made of in the upcoming Doha competition.

Read more: Tokyo Dime edges 1Bataan Risers to win Chooks-to-Go 3×3 hoops tourney

“Pamati nako ron excited sa Doha para ipakita nga naa tay ikabuga sa laing lugar,” said the former La Salle standout.

(I feel excited for Doha where we can show that we have what it takes in basketball in other countries.)

“Lipay nga maka experience makontra ang laing lugar and i-prove na naa ika pakita sa 3×3 nga duwa,” added the lanky cager.

(I’m happy to experience playing against teams from other places and prove to them our brand of paly in 3×3.)

Santillan said he would carry the lessons of their bitter loss against Tokyo Dime to the Doha competition where he would be looking to attain some sort of redemption.

“Pinakanatutunan ko huwag ka magrelax. Lahat ng possession importante.  Syempre dinadala natin bansa natin so maging agresibo lang,” Santillan shared.

(I learned from that game not to relax. All ball possessions are important. And, of course, we are playing for our country, so we need to be aggressive in our game.)/dbs