MAGKAHALONG veteran cagers at returning league players ang masasaksihan sa inaugural 3×3 tournament ng PBA.
Bago ang pag-arangkada ng torneo sa Nobyembre 20, ang PBA 3×3 ay nagdaos ng media day noong Sabado sa Ynares Sports Arena sa Pasig City kung saan inanunsiyo ang official lineups ng 13 koponan
Kabilang ang 40-anyos na si Mac Cardona sa mga player na magbabalik bilang bahagi ng Zamboanga Valientes.
“I’m very thankful and blessed that despite everything that happened in my life, I’m still here,” sabi ni Cardona.
“The 3-on-3 game is fast paced and your body needs to be well prepared. You have to be in good condition to play here.”
Si Cardona, na-drafted fifth overall ng Air21 sa 2005 Draft, ay dating PBA Best Player of the Conference at Finals Most Valuable Player awardee. Nakapaglaro siya para sa Talk N’ Text, Meralco, Air 21/NLEX, at Globalport (ngayo’y NorthPort).
Makakasama ni Cardona sina dating up Smart Gilas at Blackwater stalwart JR Cawaling, Kyle Neypes, at Gino Jumao-as sa Valientes camp.
Magbabalik din si dating NLEX small forward Larry Fonacier sa pamamagitan ng 3×3 team ng koponan na Cavitex Braves, kung saan gagabayan niya sina dating teammates at dating PBA draftees AC Soberano, David Murrell, at Kyles Lao.
“It’s been two years since I’ve last played. I’m forced to expand my game and to reinvent myself,” ani Fonacier, na hindi naglaro sa huling dalawang PBA Philippine Cup dahil sa personal na kadahilanan.
Magpapakitang-gilas din ang mga beteranong PBA players sa kauna-unahang 3×3 tournament ng liga, kabilang sina NorthPort’s LA Revilla, Jeepy Faundo, at Michael Calisaan; TNT Tropang Giga’s Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, at Samboy de Leon; Platinum Karaoke’s Karl Dehesa at Yutien Andrada; Purefoods TJ Titans’ Pao Javelona at Val Acuña; at San Miguel Beermen’s Bacon Austria, Louie Vigil, at James Mangahas.
Ang 13 koponan ay hinati sa tatlong grupo kung saan ang Pool A ay kinabibilangan ng TNT Tropang Giga, Limitless Appmasters, Zamboanga Valientes, Platinum Karaoke, at Purefoods TJ Titans.
Ang Pool B ay binubuo ng Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Terrafirma 3×3, Meralco Bolts, at Sista Super Sealers, habang nasa Pool C ang Cavitex Braves, Pioneer Pro Tibay, NorthPort Batang Pier, at San Miguel Beermen.
