THE Zamboanga Valientes, the only full all-homegrown team, will be competing in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup set from October 21 to 30 in a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
“This is a big opportunity for the Valientes to be able to play in the first professional 3×3 in the country, and we want it to be more meaningful because we are the only team that will represent Zamboanga City with all the players born in Zamboanga City,” said Junnie Navarro, son of team co-owner Cory Navarro.
The Valientes will be parading ex-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Rudy Lingganay, Gino Jumaoas, Darwin Cordero, Das Esa, Arar de Leon, Med Salim and 3×3 veteran Jon Rebollos.
“Zamboangueños are very proud of this team because the players are full blooded Zamboangueño,” said Coach Joseph Romarate of the team owned by philanthropist Cory Navarro and Mike Venezuela.
The team is also solidly supported by Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Isabelle “BengZ” Climaco-Salazar, who congratulated the team and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 for pushing through with the league amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Valientes showed that they are capable of outplaying competitive teams as they pushed Pasig Kings, champions of last season’s Melmac Cup, to their limits.
