Eriobu circles back to path that earned him PBA slot
Magnolia’s Joseph Eriobu is making a return to the 3×3 scene that also paved the way for his return to the PBA by representing the Philippines in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
And Eriobu will be coming in with something to prove as he hopes to play a role in Gilas Pilipinas’ bid to wrest the gold in the half-court competition in Thailand.
“The truth is, we didn’t deserve that silver in 2023,” Eriobu said, recalling how he and the rest of the Gilas squad fell short two years ago in Cambodia, losing to the host country in the final.
Eriobu teamed up with Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores and Joseph Sedurifa in that campaign. Eriobu and Sedurifa are back and will be joined by naturalized player Ange Kouame and soon-to-be UAAP MVP Janrey Pasaol.
Kouame was allowed to play in the 3×3 after Thailand deemed that naturalized players and those who secured passports after the age of 16 can’t suit up for the centerpiece 5-on-5 event.
“[T]hat kid is really good,” Eriobu said of Pasaol, the diminutive guard from Far Eastern University and brother of another ex-3×3 standout in Alvin Pasaol.
“Ange’s presence is really crucial. He’s very vocal in practice, he’s showing his leadership, his experience of being a champion at Ateneo, and we need those qualities in our 3×3 team,” added Eriobu.
The Hotshots signed Eriobu in 2023 after he spent two years in the defunct PBA 3×3 with Purefoods, emerging as one of the best players then and later donning the Gilas jersey in the 2023 Fiba 3×3 Asia Cup.
“I actually thought that I wouldn’t get a chance to play 3×3 again,” he said. “That’s why I was surprised when [Gilas 3×3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc] called if I wanted to play. And for me, it’s a huge opportunity for us to bounce back.
Eriobu’s participation also got the blessing of the PBA and Magnolia. Gilas 3×3 leaves for Bangkok on Monday.
Meanwhile, Calvin Abueva got Titan Ultra back from a huge deficit to prevail over Terrafirma, 111-108, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Abueva finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocks as the Giant Risers improved to 3-6. The Dyip fell to 1-7 as Jerrick Ahanmisi’s attempt to force overtime with a three rolled out before time expired.
