FRESH off its stirring championship win in the PBA 3x3 Second Conference Grand Finals, Pioneer Pro Tibay is not resting on its laurels as it signed up promising Cebuano big man Reeve Ugsang to join its squad for its upcoming campaign.
A tough 6-foot-5 banger, the Southwestern University-Phinma and University of the Visayas product figures to be a key cog for Pioneer Pro Tibay and its 3x3 team head coach, Lester del Rosario.
After a successful stint playing for the MJAS Zenith-Danao City in the Filbasket Summer Championships, Ugsang’s impressive play caught the eye of Del Rosario—the son of legendary head coach Aric del Rosario—who immediately got in touch with the former, eventually signing him up to a one-conference deal.
Ugsang, who has played in numerous leagues such as the VisMin Super Cup and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League in the last few years, was grateful for the opportunity.
“I feel very happy and blessed to get this opportunity to play for Pioneer Pro Tibay. I’m very grateful to receive this chance despite all the adversities that I’ve encountered in my basketball career,” said Ugsang.
“I really thought it was too late to chase my basketball dreams, but through hard work and faith, I realized that nothing is impossible,” added Ugsang who also expressed gratitude to MJAS Zenith team manager Jhon Santos and owner Samson Lato for letting him showcase his talents with their squad.
Ugsang was on hand to cheer for Pioneer Pro Tibay during their stint in the Grand Finals last week. And from what he saw, he said he still has much to catch up on.
“3x3 basketball is different from 5x5. I had to make adjustments during my first practice with the team since the physicality and the pace of the game is really different. Fortunately, this also matches my style of game,” explained Ugsang. (JNP)