Team Manila West ready to represent in FIBA 3x3

FIBA 3x3 basketball communications manager Julien Debove (center) explains pre-competition requirements to Team Manila West after their arrival in Sendai, Japan.

Half of Team Manila West arrived on Thursday in Japan, with Meralco Bolts forward Rey Guevarra and Globalport's Terrence Romeo accompanied by La Salle Greenhills head coach John Flores.

The other half, composed of Aldrech Ramos and KG Canaleta of the NLEX Road Warriors, will arrive on Friday alongside SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios.

Team Manila West advanced to the Japan Finals after conquering the Manila Masters this past August, defeating Doha, 21-17. They will be grouped in Pool B alongside Sao Paolo and Bucharest, whom they will play on Saturday afternoon (1:10pm against Sao Paolo, 2:55pm against Bucharest).

The Brazilians are the champions of the Rio Masters, defeating Santos 21-12, while the Romanians are the runners-up in the Prague Masters, losing to Novi Sad, 16-14.

If the Filipinos advance out of Pool B, they will be facing someone from Pool C.

Although the world champions qualified to play in Sendai, a couple of the players were injured while participating in the Asian Games, forcing the Qataris to withdraw. Replacing them in Pool C is Jakarta.

Guevara could only marvel at the size of their opposition in the World Tour Finals, noting that in the Manila Masters, they had to deal with small opposition, except for Doha. He remains unfazed by them, however, noting that they can overcome size with team effort, ball movement, cooperation and full understanding of his teammates.