Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 21) – The Aldin Ayo-mentored Manila team pulled out from the 2021 FIBA 3×3 Lipik Challenger on Thursday due to visa issues.
Bounty Agri Ventures Inc. President Ronald Mascariñas, who manages the Manila 3×3 squad, said the Croatian visas of their four players failed to arrive on Wednesday morning which forced them to withdraw from the tournament.
“There are things that we have no control of and this is one of them. Since 2019, this is the first time that we had to pull out from a FIBA 3×3 tournament and the players were really looking forward to it,” said Mascariñas.
The four players of the Manila 3×3 team are Chico Lanete, Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, and Dennis Santos. Veteran cager Mark Yee was also added to the lineup.
RELATED: Manila adds Mark Yee in time for Croatia 3×3 tilt
The 2021 FIBA 3×3 Lipik Challenger is scheduled to be played on Friday evening (Philippine time).
The Manila team has been training at the Lucena Convention Center in Quezon province since May 13. The short seven-day camp was approved by the Games and Amusements Board and the provincial government.
Formed last March, the Manila Chooks TM 3×3 squad first saw action in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Doha Masters 2021, where they failed to qualify in the main draw.
RELATED: Manila fails to advance in FIBA 3×3 Doha Masters main draw despite splitting games
