Manila North faces China, NZ in 3x3

MANILA, Philippines - Manila North, bannered by Alaska’s Calvin Abueva and San Mig Super Coffee’s Ian Sangalang, takes on China’s Xinzhuang and Auckland of New Zealand as Smart presents the 2014 FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila-Masters at the Mega Fashion Hall of SM Megamall today.

The top two teams will qualify to the 3x3 FIBA World Tour Final in Tokyo on Oct. 11-12. Joining them are the winners from the Beijing Masters (Aug. 2-3), Chicago Masters (Aug. 15-16), Prague Masters (Aug. 23-24), Lausanne Masters (Aug. 29-30), and Rio de Janeiro Masters (Sept. 27-28).

Backing up Abueva and Sangalang, when Manila North meets the Chinese at 4:30 p.m. and the New Zealanders at 6:20 p.m., are Aces forward Vic Manuel and NLEX’s Jake Pascual in the tournament organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas led by president Manny V. Pangilinan with Nike and Samsung as founding partners.

A second PBA-bannered team, Manila West, composed of Terrence Romeo of Globalport, Rey Guevarra of Meralco, KC Canaleta of Talk ‘N Text and Aldrech Ramos of Air21, battles Kobe of Japan at 4:10 p.m. and defending champion Doha of Qatar at 5:40 p.m.

Manila East, with Ousseynou Karbala Gueye, Darryl Henderson Jr., John Adrian Wong and Jerie Marlon Pingoy, faces Surabaya at 4:50 p.m and Yogjakarta at 6:40 p.m, while Manila South, with Joshua Irvin Ayo, Adonis Christian Nismal, Karl Kenneth Estrada and Raphael Jude De Vera of the national champion Naga City Titans, meets Medan at 3:40 p.m. and Jakarta at 5:20 p.m.

Team Doha, featuring Mohammed Seleem Abdulla and Yaseen Musa, is fresh from ruling the FIBA 3x3 World Championship in Moscow, while Kobe will bank on Japanese star Kenji Hilke and 2012 FIBA 3x3 World Tour participant Jimi Hayakawa

Auckland will be led by Patrich Bolstad, who represented New Zealand at the FIBA 3x3 World Championships last month.

The top two teams from each pool advance to the knockout quarterfinals with the winners moving to the crossover semis. The winners dispute the title, with the champion getting $10,000 and the runner-up $5,000.

“I am happy to have the Philippines host this 3x3 international event of FIBA, knowing how Filipinos enjoy the game of basketball,” said SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan. “Three on three basketball is tailor fit for us Filipinos as it relies more on quickness, creativity and shooting than height – that is why the game, known as ‘Tatluhan’ here, has been popular in our country for decades. I invite everyone to join us and have fun this weekend at Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.”

Three on three games run for 10 minutes or 21 points sudden death with a 12-second shot clocks and without halftime breaks.

Celebrity fun games featuring Shakey’s V-League stars and entertainment personalities will spice up the pre-competition atmosphere at 12 noon.