A battle royale looms in the PBA 3x3's second season with teams fielding beefed-up rosters for the hostilities that kick off with the opening leg of the First Conference on Saturday at Robinsons Antipolo.
Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists Jorey Napoles, Reymar Caduyac and Marvin Hayes, who won last year's First Conference title with Limitless, will don new jerseys to start the season.
Napoles joined the Cavitex Braves while Caduyac moved to Meralco with the Appmasters taking a leave of absence in the opening tournament. Hayes, who saw action for Purefoods last conference, will banner debuting guest team J&T Express along with former Bolts stalwart Joseph Sedurifa.
Terrence Tumalip, formerly of Terrafirma, and Nico Salva, previously with Limitless, will link up with Platinum.
Former Platinum mainstays JR Alabanza and Chris de Chavez will now team up with Joseph Eribou and the Titans while former Brave Prince Rivero and former Ginebra guard Hubert Cani will spearhead the maiden campaign of Blackwater Red President.
Sponsored content:
TNT will bring back the group responsible for the Tropang Giga's Third Conference title - Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Samboy de Leon, Gryann Mendoza, Rey Mark Acuno and Ping Exciminiano.
San Miguel Beer will parade a generally intact core led by Ken Bono and Jeff Manday with new addition Raffy Verano.
"Mas competitive this year," said Platinum coach Anton Altamirano during Tuesday's PBA 3x3 Media Day at TV Media Center. "Yung mga teams naka-experience nang one full season ng 3x3 last year and lahat nag-bulk up ng lineups nila," added Altamirano.
The Tropang Giga, who won five leg titles and one conference diadem in the inaugural season, decided to keep its tested bunch.
"Itong team naman yun ang advantage - chemistry saka bonding - kasi since last conference, walang nabago sa amin," said Vosotros, who along with de Leon and Flores are fresh from representing Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup last July. (OL)
