World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 will be testing their mettle against international teams in the inaugural showing of the Pilipinas United 3x3 League.
The Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 3x3 team will be using their stint at the inaugural Pilipinas United 3x3 League as part of their preparations for the upcoming FIBA U23 3x3 World Cup in Xiong An, China.
Going up against older and more experienced foes in the 8-team women’s division at Ayala Malls Manila Bay this weekend, Tin Cayabyab hopes that the tournament will give them ample game time to get a feel of where they stand ahead of the World Cup.
“Nag-start na kami mag-training first week ng August and yun nga, alam namin na short preparation pero eto, malaking factor na may ganito kaming liga na Pilipinas United 3x3 kasi eto yung makakapagbigay ulit samin ng chemistry," Cayabyab told media during the Pilipinas United 3x3 League Media Launch in Seda Manila Bay.
The timing of the event seems perfect for the team, as Cayabyab also noted that it has been difficult for herself and the rest of the World Cup roster pool to find common time — especially since all of them are still studying.
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With the tournament happening on a weekend, the league, cofounded by Eric Altamirano and Drew Combate, presents the opportunity for the team to find their common ground and hopefully build chemistry ahead of their biggest tournament by far.
“Malaking bagay ito for us kasi minsan hindi tugma yung schedules namin, yung mga iba, may klase. Yung mga iba hindi nakakapunta kasi may mga games. So malaking bagay ito para sa amin para sa larong ito, mas mabuo pa namin,” she said.
As far as their expectations go, Cayabyab believes she and the rest of her young teammates are more than capable of holding their own against more experienced teams in the two-day tourney.
At the end of the day, Cayabyab knows it’s just basketball and when they focus on what they want to do, they can roll with the best of them.
“Syempre, magandang opportunity to samin and hindi rin naman namin iniisip na Under-23 kami when it comes pag nasa loob na kami ng court," Cayabyab said.
"Mas iniisip na lang namin na basketball parin yung nilalaro namin and kung maglalaro kami as a team, and kung ano yung sistema na pina-practice namin, kaya namin manalo kung sino man kalaban namin,” she added.
Apart from Cayabyab, Kacey Dela Rosa, Cheska Apag, Elaine Etang, Jam Meniano, and Cielo Pagdulagan are expected to suit up for the Gilas Women U23 3x3 team.
Among their foes in the Pilipinas United 3x3 League are the Philippines’ Uratex Dream and Pilipinas Aguilas (HoopJeep), Malaysia’s Harimau Malaysia Black and Harimau Malaysia Yellow, Vietnam’s Hanoi 3x3 by Amigos, Japan’s MAURICE LACROIX, and Singapore’s Jumpshot.