World-class talent try to wow the Queen City of the South when the 2023 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters kicks off next week at the picturesque SM Seaside City Cebu.

With local standouts Paul Desiderio and Dennis Santos out due to injuries, Manila Chooks! will be bannered by Marcus Hammonds, Marquez Letcher-Ellis, and Cebu-based Tosh Sesay.

But don’t sleep on Mac Tallo, the country’s No. 1 3×3 player, who is raring to show his wares anew as he completes the Chico Lanete-mentored hometown quartet seeded 11th in the two-day tilt set September 23 to 24.

Tallo is convinced the new-look Manila Chooks! team will be no pushover despite the adversities.

“Kailangan talaga namin mag-adjust sa team after the sudden injuries nila Paul and Dennis. Pinilit talaga nila maglaro pero hindi talaga gumaling in time ang tuhod ni Paul and medical condition ni Dennis,” Tallo said.

“Thankful din ako na nag-step up si Quez, Tosh and Marcus kasi matagal ko na sila nakakalaro and aligned kami sa gustong ma-achieve ng team dito sa Cebu Masters. We will play hard,” he added.

The tough 14-team field includes top seed Ub Huishan of Serbia, The Netherlands’ Amsterdam HiPRO, and Vienna of Austria.

The United States’ Miami side will be anchored by former NBA player Jimmer Fredette.

Other fancied Asian teams in the Cebu Masters include Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy and Sansar MMC Energy and Futian of China.

The champion will take home $40,000, with the runner-up settling for $30,000.

Fans can watch the games live on Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ Facebook page and the YouTube channel of FIBA 3×3.