Karl Dehesa and Leonard Santillan are both honored to be included in the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 pool bound for the highly-anticipated FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament on May 26-30 in Graz, Austria.
The two were named part of the crew as they are among the Philippines’ top 10 3×3 players, joining the nation’s top two in Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol, and SEA Games gold medalists Mo Tautuaa and CJ Perez.
“Just being in the same breath with great players in the country, I think that’s just a great honor in itself,” said the sixth-ranked Dehesa in Radyo5’s Power and Play with former PBA commissioner Noli Eala, Saturday.
“Unang-una po, isang karangalan na ma-represent ang Pilipinas, lalo na’t makasama ko ‘tong dalawang ‘to (Munzon, Pasaol), top two players sa bansa,” said no. 8 Santillan, on the other hand.
“Sobrang excited na makalaro.”
The six players have entered Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna Saturday to commence their preparations for the showpiece, where a total of three tickets to the Tokyo Olympics are up for grabs.
Getting one of those, however, won’t be that easy. Gilas 3×3 is in for a tough battle ahead in Pool C, as it is grouped with world no. 3 Slovenia, France, 2014 FIBA 3×3 world champions Qatar, and the Dominican Republic.
Both Santillan and Dehesa will bring a lot of experience for the team as the two used to be teammates with Pasaol in Balanga Chooks.
Balanga had competed in two FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters and, as well as, multiple Challengers from around the world.
That is why the Filipino dribblers are very much aware of how tough the competition is.
Pressed for time will be Gilas though as it will only be in the Calambubble for just eight days before the team heads to Graz.
“I think that us coming together in this bubble is gonna be really, really beneficial. So we’ll be able to actually apply what we’ve learned in our film sessions and do that in practice,” said the 33-year-old free agent.
Dehesa, who was part of the Manila North team that finished second in the 2015 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters, also expressed excitement with the addition of PBA stars Tautuaa and Perez.
“We’re not a small team. We have length, we have guys just adding to the mix is going to make it more deadly.”
Now, as they hope for Gilas 3×3 to reach success, both Dehesa and Santillan vowed to do whatever they can to help the team.
“I’m just coming in to compete, and push the guys to get ready for the tournament. That’s the best I can do,” said Dehesa.
“Kung anuman ‘yung madagdag, ‘yung aggressiveness sa depensa — kasi iba na yung level pagdating sa Olympics — kaya ganun ‘yung mga gagawin ko para makatulong sa team,” Santillan added.
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