Manila Chooks players declare for PBA Draft

The entire Manila Chooks squad is heading to the PBA Draft. Chooks-to-Go (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The upcoming PBA Draft has just become very stacked!

The entire Manila Chooks squad that played in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Doha Masters last weekend expressed its intent of joining the draft.

Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, which currently handles the team comprising of Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Santi Santillan, confirmed the development on Thursday.

"Thank you Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Leonard Santillan for making our country proud over the last two years. We at Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 won't hinder you from achieving your dreams," the Philippines' premier professional 3x3 league said in a statement.

The four players are among the Top 6 3x3 players in the country based on their accumulated FIBA 3x3 points.

Munzon and Pasaol are the Top 2 players, making them the best fits to be part of the Gilas 3x3 lineup for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.

With their decision, the four ballers are going back to their 5-on-5 roots.

Munzon had already played professional 5-on-5 basketball before, suiting up in the ABL for Saigon and Kuala Lumpur before going full time in his Philippine career.

On the other hand, Pasaol, Rike, and Santillan are swingmen with good upsides that they can develop in the PBA.

Their contract with Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 will only last until December.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno