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Big Mo Tautuaa realizes dreams with Gilas 3x3 squad


Mo Tautuaa is a big man with simple yet huge dreams.

According to the 6-foot-8 San Miguel Beer bruiser, apart from making waves in the local basketball scene, suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas on the international stage has been his longtime ambition.

Although he was part of the national team that competed in the 2015 William Jones Cup and the 3x3 squad that copped the gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, he still has yet to represent the country in any FIBA-sanctioned event.

That’s why when the opportunity presented itself, the Filipino-Tongan slotman had no hesitations about heeding the call.

Tautuaa was among the six players invited by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to be part of the 3x3 squad that will slug it out in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria from May 26 to 30.

"I received a two-part text message to invite me to the team. But even before I received the second part of the invitation, I already replied that I wanted to come," he said.

And Tautuaa has a chance to prove he’s worthy of the call-up.

He joins an elite squad composed of Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol, the country’s top 3x3 players, as well as SMB guard CJ Perez, Rain or Shine’s Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa. Ronnie Magsanoc, who has been in the 3x3 circuit since 2018, will be at the helm.

Tautuaa also stressed that even though the first time he played competitive 3x3 basketball came out as a success, the OQT will be different since they will face the world’s powerhouse clubs like Slovenia (No. 3), France (No. 11), Qatar (No. 26), and Domincan Republic (No. 33).

He also added that 3x3 would be distinct from that of a 5-on-5 tournament since the former is a lot faster and shorter in pace.

"You can't just be fast, you also have to be strong. But you can't just be strong, you also need to shoot or post up in 3x3," he said.

"I feel I can dabble with all those areas, not at the highest level, but good enough to where the defense will respect me wherever I am on the floor."

Still, he trusts that they have the material to give their opponents a run for their money.

“This is going to be the first time we played against this caliber, this level, me and CJ. Josh, Alvin [Pasaol], Santi, and Karl have experienced it in the pro circuit,” the former top PBA overall pick said.

“We want to win and we got that Filipino brand. We’re not going to back down to anybody. We’re going to go there and see what we go.”

Gilas 3x3 temporarily broke camp on May 8 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna but will be back to the bubble before leaving for Austria on the 23rd. —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News

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