Faundo relishes chance to rep the Philippines in FIBA U-23 3x3

MANILA, Philippines – There are two first-timers in the Philippine team to the 2018 FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup in Xi’An, China — that’s Jeepy Faundo and RJ Abarrientos. Ricci Rivero and Rhayyan Amsali are veterans of international competition.

But that isn’t going to prevent Faundo, the starting center for the Bataan Risers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, from not making the most out of this opportunity.

“Ngayon lang ako nakasama sa national team and first time ko magrepresent ng bansa natin,” said the lanky 6’6” center in a Viber interview with Philstar.com all the way from China. “Actually biglaan lang na napasama rito sa torneyo na ito. Ang laking pasasalamat sa Bataan Risers na hindi nagdalawang isip na payagan ako. Isa itong karangalan bilang manlalaro para sa aking unibersidad na UST at sa team ko na yung Bataan. Siyempre, sana mabigay ko yung best ko.”

Faundo’s Risers currently tote an 9-1 record, sitting atop the MPBL’s North Division.

Coach Ronnie Magsanoc, who is now overseeing the 3x3 program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, tapped Faundo to take part in the fastest growing sport in the world — one that will become an official Olympic sport come 2019. 

“Siyempre po masaya na tayo naisa ako sa napili na mag represent ng bansa natin,” further reflected Faundo,“lahat naman ng player sa Pilipinas gustong gusto dalhin ang pangalan at karangalan ng bansa natin lalo na sa larangan ng sports. Para sa akin, proud na proud ako na madadala ko ang bansa natin and sana hindi ito ang huling pagkakataon na maglalaro para sa bansa.”

Despite losing their first two assignments — 21-14 to Slovenia and 21-18 to Serbia — Faundo remained upbeat. 

“Basta mapanalunan namin yung next two games namin (Turkmenistan and China both on the October 5), may chance kami.”