Abueva-led 3x3 team to World Final intact

MANILA, Philippines - Forward Vic Manuel reconsidered his decision to forego his stint with the Manila North team, allowing the Calvin Abueva-led squad to keep an intact lineup for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final slated Thursday and Friday in Abu Dhabi.

The team is looking to improve on Team Phl’s fifth-place finish in Sendai last year.

“Sir, I’m joining the trip. My apologies for the concern I caused. I’m ready to fight for the country,” said Manuel in a text message to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios last night.

Manuel, Abueva, Troy Rosario and Karl Dehesa form the Manila North team vying for honors in the 3-on-3 world finale. The four players and the SBP executive director leave for the United Arab Emirates tonight.

On Sunday, Manuel created a furor after he informed the SBP that he’s backing out of the team due to a family problem.

“We looked for a replacement for two days and we couldn’t find one,” said Barrios. “I’m glad Vic reconsidered, putting into consideration the fact that he’s not just playing for himself or his ball club but the country.”

 The SBP had considered tapping Asi Taulava as a replacement but the NLEX Road Warrior center was with his PBA mother ball club in a team-building session in Cagayan de Oro.

Beau Belga, Ian Sangalang and Cliff Hodge were other PBA players eligible to take over from Manuel, but they’re also unavailable with the PBA set to fire off Sunday.

Terrence Romeo, KG Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos and Rey Guevarra are ineligible since they played for another team (Manila West) during the Manila leg.

“It’s so risky if I let Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario and Karl Dehesa to play without a fourth guy. They would be at risk of suffering injury,” said Barrios.

Manila North earned a trip to the Dubai World 3x3 final in placing second to Novi Sad in the Manila leg last August.

But the Filipinos face an uphill climb in the final featuring teams from the United States, Brazil, Lithuania, Slovenia, Poland, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.

In fact, Manila North is ranked 12th and last in the 12-team field.

Manila North is bracketed with Doha, Qatar and Kranj, Slovenia in Pool D. The Filipinos need to be at least second in the group to make the knockout stage.

Last year, the Manila West team of Romeo, Canaleta, Ramos and Guevarra topped the Manila Masters to go through to the final tournament in Sendai, Japan. Manila North eliminated Manila West in the semifinals in this year’s Manila tourney.

Abueva is fresh from a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia where Rosario served as a reserve.