"We move on."
Those were the words uttered by Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas owner Ronald Mascariñas after a highly-emotional week for its pool players.
Last Wednesday, head trainer Aldin Ayo bid farewell to the team, citing the need to take care of his ailing mother. Just days later, Ayo was in the news as he signed with another team.
Mascariñas is set to meet the team this weekend for a heart-to-heart talk. Members of the pool are Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Chico Lanete, Dennis Santos, Brandon Ramirez, Ken Holmqvist, Dave Ando, Mike Nzeusseu, and Henry Iloka.
But prior to meeting them, the amiable executive is vowing one thing, "We are not going anywhere.
"We do not see it as a setback. We will continue to take good care of our players and give them everything they need as they continue their journey in the global FIBA 3x3 pro circuit," said Mascariñas.
Lanete has been named as the interim head trainer of the team.
Since July, the team has never stopped training, even competing in the Lipik Challenger.
Scheduled for the rest of the year are hosting a couple of Super Quests and the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Cebu Masters and more international tournaments.
Mascariñas also looks to rejig the organization by adding more tall and skilled players, as well as assistants and a foreign consultant to help Lanete in his first foray in coaching.
"We are currently in the process of adding more players to our pool and giving Coach Chico everything he needs as our leader," said Mascariñas. "This will not stop us in our mission of gaining valuable FIBA 3x3 points for the country in hopes of making it to the Paris Olympics in 2024."