Manila Chooks grouped with Liman in Doha Masters

Manila Chooks is being briefed about the upcoming FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters. Chooks-to-Go

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--A familiar foe awaits Manila Chooks.

The Philippine team in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters will have an early date with world number one Liman in the said event happening this weekend at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex in the Qatari capital.

Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, and Santi Santillan had separate experiences taking on Liman last year.

Munzon was part of the Pasig Chooks squad who stunned the squad led by Stefan Stojacic in last year's Doha Masters pool stages.

On the other hand, Pasaol and Santillan, who were part of Balanga Chooks last year, gets a chance for payback after getting blown out in the quarterfinals of the said event.

Stojacic, who earlier this year was tapped to help Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 in its early buildup for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament before the COVID-19 pandemic stalled Philippine sports for much of 2020, will be joined this year by Stefan Kojic, Mihailo Vasic, and Aleksandar Ratkov, three players inside the Top 6 in the world rankings.

"It's definitely going to be a test for us to square against those European teams, but you know I think we're ready mentally and physically," Munzon said. "I am confident with my team. We're ready to get after it."

Completing Pool A is host team Lusail, which is a good mix of veterans and young guns.

Thirty-two-year-old Mame Ndour and 18-year-old Hamza Radi will look to make their fellow Qataris proud despite being in a tough group.

Backstopping them are Greek veteran Vasileiadis Konstantinos and Senegalese youngster Ousseynou Mbow.

Manila Chooks will open its campaign in the Doha Masters against Liman just before Saturday midnight (Philippine Time) before taking on Lusail later early Saturday.

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