Despite Pasig's early Kunshan Challenger elimination, Mascarinas "not giving up" on PH's 3x3 Olympic quest

Ronald Mascariñas believes the Kings put up a gallant stand in Kunshan. Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY—Ronald Mascarinas said that there is no reason for the Philippines to concede in its quest to make the inaugural Summer Olympic 3x3 event despite Pasig getting knocked out of the pool stages of the FIBA 3x3 Kunshan Challenger on Saturday night.

"We are not giving up on our Olympic dream because of this setback," Mascarinas, the owner of the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3, said in a statement on Sunday.

Pasig went off to a good start against Sosnovy Bor and Liman in their pool stage matches, but the team eventually fizzled down the stretch and was sent home.

Despite the early boot, Mascarinas still lauded the Kings for the great effort.

"We lost to the better teams [yesterday]. Taylor [Statham], Joshua [Munzon], Troy [Rike], and Dylan [Ababou], you played with a lot of heart and we are proud of you," Mascarinas further said.

He then believes that this will motivate Pasig to train harder for its upcoming tournaments, the next being the Moscow Challenger on June 7-8, where a spot in the World Tour Prague Masters is at stake.

"We will continue to prepare and play harder to make our country proud," Mascarinas vowed.

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