Filipina cagers Kaye Pingol and Kacey Dela Rosa will banner their respective Philippine clubs as they defend the homecourt against foreign rivals when Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 3 kicks off this Feb. 8 to 9 at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Firing off for the third consecutive year, this year’s 3x3 tournament features 16 teams from the host Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Spain, Australia, and Malaysia.

The 5-foot-4 Pingol will try to bring Uratex Dream to a podium finish alongside former NU stantouts Sam Harada and Afril Bernardino, and Chinese import Li Renzhu.

“So far we have less preparation, but [our import] wasn’t new to our system, so we adjust easily,” said Pingol after the competition's press conference Monday, Feb. 3.

“We played a lot on the international stage from the previous month, [I think it helps us] in terms of experience and preparation. I think we’re good,” she added. “I hope we can reach the podium this season.”

With an already challenging task to depose the reigning champ and favorite Zoos Toyo, Uratex and the other Filipino clubs believed that the odds got tougher with the participation of Paris Olympian and world No. 22 Canadian player Kacie Bosch of Spain-based Panthers 3x3.

On the other hand, Dela Rosa, the UAAP back-to-back Most Valuable Player, headlines Gilas Pilipinas U23 3x3 side, teaming up with the country’s rising stars in Elaine Etang, Kristine Cayabyab and Cielo Pagdulagan. The senior Gilas, meanwhile, will be represented by topnotch Filipina cagers in Mikka Cacho, Hazelle Yam, Jhazmin Joson, and Camille Clarin in the two-day long tiff co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Zoos Tokyo will defend its crown with only Ama Degbeon returning for the Japanese squad, while the Titans, the runner-up in Season 2, bring back Thai Bo Supavadee and Japan's Lina Nakazawa together with Trina Guytingco and Stefanie Berberabe.

“Season 3 will follow the same formula of Season 1 and 2, showcasing elite women’s basketball in high-quality tournaments, but I think what sets this season apart, it’s happening in the midst of the tremendous rise of women’s basketball in the past years,” said tournament director Peachy Cheng Medina.

All 16 squads will be bracketed into four pools; Army Altama, Gilas U23 3x3, Dinoman Hansol and XD are in Pool A, while Pool B has Jumpshot Singapore, New Zealand Creamery, Uratex Dream and Shoot It Dragons.

Pool C has Royals Basketball, Tokyo BB, Uratex Tibay and last year's runner-up Titans, while defending champ Zoos Toyo banners Pool D – which considered as the most stacked bracket in the tourney – alongside Gilas 3x3 (senior), Harimau Malaysia and Panthers 3x3.