AOI Katsura made no qualms of her desire to return to the Philippines and got rewarded with a championship.
The Japanese star captained Zoos Tokyo to claim the Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 2 crown before a packed crowd at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall last Sunday.
“We really wanted to come back so bad. We’re very happy that we came back with my favorite roster and we’re happy with the result,” she said after her side beat Titans 21-13 in the finale.
But more than the on-court triumph, what stood out for Katsura was the level of play in the second staging of the Philippine women’s 3×3 international invitational presented by Uratex and Smart.
“I’m very, very impressed with these kinds of tournaments with international teams. Manila Hustle is one of the toughest tournaments out there so I’m very happy to win this time,” said the tournament MVP.
It also helps that the fans were deeply appreciative of the level of play, cheering on every play for two straight days.
And for the players, it just gave them the added lift they need to continue this sprint, not just for the locals but also for the international players with nine foreign teams also participating in this meet which has the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as official technical partner, Seiko Prospex as official timekeeper, and B’lue as official hydration partner.
“You have amazing fans here. They really know basketball and it’s fun to play in front of them,” said Katsura.
Uratex Tibay’s Spanish guard Ari Geli felt the same way.
“I’m so grateful to play for them. This is my second time here and I see that the level is so high. It makes me happy knowing that Manila Hustle is growing,” she said.
“It feels very good that the people support me. It feels like home.”
“The experience has been great. This is the biggest women’s tournament here so I’m grateful to be part of it,” said Filipina Jolzyne Impreso who played for Royals Basketball of Australia.
Thai star Supavadee Kunchuan of Titans agreed, noting, “This one is a lot more competitive compared to the other tournaments I played in and it’s more fun so the whole experience is really great.”
Asked if a return trip is in the offing, Kunchuan had a direct response. “Definitely, I’ll be back.”
Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 3 is sponsored by Titan, Wilson, Green Cross, Secret Fresh, BDO, Laurin CocoMCT, Peloton Workforce, Senka, Pinesbel Manufacturing, Tsubaki, IFern, Evercool Radiator, Home Suite Furniture, and Quality Corrugated Box Manufacturing, and Aquaflask.
The tournament was also streamed live for free and open to all networks on the Smart Livestream app, with Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas as official media partners.
