CHOOKS-TO-GO Pilipinas owner Ronald Mascariñas said “we move on” after a highly-emotional week for its pool players.
Last Wednesday, head trainer Aldin Ayo bid farewell to the team, citing the need to take care of his ailing mother. Just days later, Ayo was in the news as he signed with another team.
Mascariñas will meet the team this weekend for a heart-to-heart talk. The members of the pool are Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Chico Lanete, Dennis Santos, Brandon Ramirez, Ken Holmqvist, Dave Ando, Mike Nzeusseu and Henry Iloka.
But before meeting them, the amiable executive is vowing one thing.
“We are not going anywhere,” he said.
Mascariñas added: “We do not see it as a setback. We will continue to take good care of our players and give them everything they need as they continue their journey in the global FIBA [International Basketball Federation] 3×3 pro circuit.”
Lanete was named as the interim head trainer of the team.
Since July, the team has never stopped training, even competing in the Lipik Challenger.
Scheduled for the rest of the year are hosting a couple of Super Quests and the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 Cebu Masters and more international tournaments.
Mascariñas also looks to rejuvenate the organization by adding more tall and skilled players, as well as assistants and a foreign consultant to help Lanete in his first foray in coaching.
“We are currently in the process of adding more players to our pool and giving Coach Chico everything he needs as our leader,” Mascariñas said. “This will not stop us in our mission of gaining valuable FIBA 3×3 points for the country in hopes of making it to the Paris Olympics in 2024.”