Chooks To Go opens FIBA Asia Champions Cup bid vs Kazakhs

MANILA, Philippines – Chooks To Go, featuring new faces from the amateur ranks including second-generation players Jeron Teng and Andre Paras, takes on BC Astana of Kazakhstan to open its campaign in the 2017 FIBA Asia Champions Cup on September 22 in Chenzhou, China.

Team Philippines next plays Sarreyyet Ramallah of Lebanon on the 23rd, Mono Vampires of Thailand on the 24th then PetroChimi of Iran on the 26th, needing a Top Four finish in their group to make the knockout stage of this tourney ruled by the Andray Blatche-led China Kashgar in 2016.

The defending champs are bracketed with Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, ONGC of India, the Palestine’s Al Riyadi and Chinese Taipei’s Dacin Tigers in the other group.

Coach Chot Reyes gathered his prospective players in a preliminary meeting Monday.

They start their nine-day preparation for the Asian inter-club tourney only tonight since import and Gilas naturalized player prospect Isaiah Austin was to fly in only last night.

Among those who showed up and sweated it out in the Monday meeting at the Meralco Gym were Kiefer Ravena, Carl Bryan Cruz, Raymar Jose, Achie Iñigo, Jett Manuel and Nigerian Bright Ekhuetie.

Author: Nelson Beltran, Philippine Star
Full Article: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/09/12/1738408/chooks-go-opens-fiba-asia-champions-cup-bid-vs-kazakhs