The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Kaye Pingol isn’t willing to settle for less this year.
Knowing that Uratex Dream hasn’t really had the best performances when it comes to Manila Hustle 3×3, the no. 1-ranked women’s 3×3 player in the country is putting it on her shoulders to steer her side to bigger heights.
“We want to be better than last year,” she said, pumped to make her mark anew this Season 3 set this Feb. 8 and 9 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. “We want to set a standard din sa team for us to inspire people with our game, lalo na sa next generation.”
As much as Dream has been dominant in the local front and established themselves as the benchmark for Filipino 3×3 teams, their foray in the women’s 3×3 international invitational hasn’t been the kindest, missing the playoffs in the inaugural staging before falling short in the quarterfinals last year.
But Pingol is embracing the pressure, knowing that what Uratex Dream can do the most is to prepare and stay ready for this tilt co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“Laging nandyan yung pressure kaya sinasabi lang sa amin ng coaches na if ready kami and we prepare enough, we’ll be contending. We just look at that as motivation and take it in a positive way,” said the Pototan, Iloilo native.
And much is really expected from the Dream this season. With Pingol leading the way, the team also welcomed seasoned national team star Afril Bernardino to their fold to join bruisers Sam Harada and Chinese reinforcement Li Renzhu.
That alone springs confidence for the squad as they believe that they’re better equipped to stand toe-to-toe against a tough 16-team field which has Titan as official partner, together with Wilson, Seiko, B’lue, Secret Fresh, BDO, Jollibee, TRYP by Wyndham, Jisulife, Rexona, Senka, and Laurin.
“I think this Dream Team is more matured from last year lalo na sa experience namin from the Women’s Series and Red Bull Half Court World Finals. Mabilis ding nakapasok si ate Afril sa system naming and in terms of chemistry, di na kami bago sa isa’t isa kaya madali lang talaga yung flow and yung addition niya really gave us a lot of confidence,” Pingol said.
Just like in the past two seasons, however, the former National U standout knows that all of those are just words now and the Dream will still have to put those plans into action.
“We’re hungry to win and gagawin naming lahat para mameet lang yung goal namin,” said Pingol. “One step at a time lang pero we really want to get that championship title.”