Manila Hustle 3x3. Handout photo
MANILA -- A total of 16 teams will be in action when the fourth season of Manila Hustle 3x3 tips off at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall on February 7-8.
Two-time defending champion Zoos Tokyo comes in as the team-to-beat, with the Japan-based club ruling the Fiba Level 5 tournament in its last two editions.
READ: Zoos Tokyo retains crown in Manila Hustle 3x3
Meanwhile, five local clubs are seeking to defend their home turf: the Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 and U23 teams, Uratex Dream and Tibay, and Pilipinas Aguilas.
Ten more clubs from nine other countries are flying in to chase glory in the Philippine women's 3x3 international invitational.
Valencia Basketball of Spain and the New Zealand national team are among the eight new international teams joining this season which also includes Flowlish Gunma of Japan, CTBC Unity Fire of Chinese Taipei, and Southeast Asian teams Hanoi Basketball of Vietnam, EST Jersey of Malaysia, CT Tigers of Thailand, and the Singaporean national team.
Completing the field are returnees Hansol Remicon of Korea and Shoot It Dragons of Thailand.
Season 4 has a USD8,000 prize pool, with USD4,000 awaiting the champion in this tournament which also has Wilson, Laurin Oil, and Secret Fresh as major sponsors.