A seven-man pool led by Almond Vosotros and Joseph Erioubu are now in the thick of preparations for the country's coming campaign in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup in Singapore slated this March.
With Vosotros (TNT) and Eriobu (Purefoods) in the pool are TNT players Samboy De Leon and Lervin Flores, Jorey Napoles of Cavitex, Meralco's Jeff Manday, and Brandon Bates of Platinum Karaoke.
Coach Lester Del Rosario (Pioneer Elastoseal) will handle the team once again and assisted by Patrick Fran (Meralco).
Vosotros, Flores, De Leon, and Eriobu were part of the Gilas 3x3 team mentored by Del Rosario that finished a fighting fourth in last year's FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup also held in Singapore.
The Filipinos lost to China in the battle for bronze, 20-18, in a campaign highlighted by their massive upset of top seed Mongolia in the quarterfinals, 21-20, behind the game-winning deuce of Vosotros.
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The fourth place finish was the highest ever for the country in the continental competition.
Unlike the last time when Gilas 3x3 had to go through the qualifiers, the Filipinos are now seeded to the main draw as part of Pool D.
"Preparations started mid-November until before Christmas, once to twice a week. Then we resumed training last Monday (Jan. 23)," said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3x3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc.
Gilas 3x3 is leaving for Singapore on March 30, as the qualifiers will be played from March 29-30.
A total of 16 countries divided into four pools of four teams each, are seeing action in the qualifiers.
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The top four teams from each pool will join the eight seeded team to the main draw to be held from March 31 to April 2. (RG)
