Chooks-to-Go eyes partnership with USA 3×3 basketball after Cebu Masters success

Chooks-to-Go vice-president Mel Macasaquit (left) and Cebu Masters MVP Jimmer Fredette (right) of Miami-USA pose for a photo during the awarding. | Photo from Chooks-to-Go

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Something big is cooking up the 3×3 scene in the country after the highly successful Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters at the SM Seaside City Cebu over the weekend.

Team Miami of the United States put on a stellar performance to win the title and the whopping $40,000 purse after defeating Vienna of Austria in, 22-19 victory in the finals amidst the jampacked venue at the SM Seaside City Cebu. 

READ: Miami-USA lords Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters

Chooks-to-Go exec on USA Basketball 3×3 program

According to Chooks-to-Go vice-president Mel Macasaquit, they were greatly impressed by USA Basketball’s 3×3 program.

In his speech after the event last weekend, Macasaquit revealed that they’re working on something with Miami that will further bolster the level of 3×3 basketball in the Philippines. 

“Our teams have something to work together, something we look forward to. The basketball program of Miami, I don’t think you can get anything better than that,” said Macasaquit.

READ: Tallo’s heroics send Manila Chooks to FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters Q’finals

Miami team

Miami is part of USA Basketball’s 3×3 program with its players comprised of Olympians and FIBA 3×3 World Cup silver medalists in Cebu Masters MVP Jimmer Fredette, Canyon Barry, Dylan Travis, and Kareem Maddox. 

Their official physical therapist and conditioning trainer was Erwin Benedict Valencia, a Filipino who was with the team during their entire campaign during the Cebu Masters.

“Plus the fact that parang dalawa sa management nila are Filipinos. Erwin Valencia spent 20 years in the NBA, again it would be nicer if his experience mashare niya sa atin. 20 years in the NBA will help us a lot, the experience alone,” added Macasaquit. 

READ: Gilas 3×3 falls short to Qatar, exits Fiba Asia Cup

Proud of Manila Chooks achievement

(Plus, the fact that it seems that two people in their management are Filipinos. Erwin Valencia spent 20 years in the NBA, again, it would be nicer if his experience will be shared to us. 20 years in the NBA will help us a lot, the experience alone.)

Besides, the plan of working together with Miami, Macasaquit told Manila Chooks to keep their heads high despite their quarterfinal exit in the tournament. 

“Yung sinabi ko na mission accomplished, uulitin ko talaga siya. We’re so proud of the success of this event. The turnout of the Cebu Masters can only get better,” said Macasaquit.

READ: FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters: Manila Chooks came up short, UB-Serbia grab easy win in opener

Winning is a process

(The thing that I said about mission accomplished, we will repeat that. We’re so proud of the success of this event. The turnout of the Cebu Masters can only get better.)

“To our team, again it’s a process. You can’t demand a win from the team, (you) might be asking too much. I think you can only ask for people to do their best. To assure of a result that’s not sports, that’s not the essence of being in a sports program. It’s still how they played the game, and how they played the game we’re satisfied,” he said. 

Manila Chooks headed by Cebuano 3×3 star Mac Tallo fought all the way into the quarterfinals but hit a brick wall after losing to the top-seed UB Huishan NE of Serbia. 

Fourteen of the world’s best 3×3 teams converged in Cebu last weekend for the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters.