THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said the decision to have PBA players comprise the 3x3 basketball team in the Southeast Asian Games was made in order to further propagate the event in the country.
SBP president Al Panlilio said the federation wants to expand the new event nationwide, and one way of doing it is to field in PBA players in the event which is making its debut in the biennial meet.
“From an SBP’s point of view, I want to develop it as pervasive as 5-on-5,” Panlilio said. “Daming liga ng 5-on-5, 3x3 pili lang. I think it’s something that needs to be propagated even much more.”
“In this case, if we can bring the PBA, they can bring more people in the interest of the 3x3 program. It only helps the SBP to bring all of these together,” said Panlilio.
The 12-man 3x3 pool are composed of Terrence Romeo, CJ Perez, and Robert Bolick, together with Chris Banchero, Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Mac Belo, Jason Perkins, Anthony Semerad, Ian Sangalang, Raymond Almazan, and Mo Tautuaa.
Four players will be chosen to play for the Philippines in the SEA Games.
The selection of a 12-man PBA pool was met with mixed reactions, with Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 owner Ronald Mascarinas admitting being hurt that their players were not selected for the biennial meet, which the country is hosting for the first time in 14 years.
Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 has been holding several legs around Metro Manila and sending teams in tournaments all around the world. The stint led to the country's rise in Fiba 3x3 rankings which now stands at 21, earning the Philippines a shot of making the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Some of the 3x3 players have also made their take on the matter, including Joshua Munzon, the top 3x3 Filipino player who is ranked 104th in the world.
“Would’ve been an honor to represent the country in the SEA Games. But our time will come. Rep’d the flag all year long, ain’t gonna stop now,” wrote Munzon.
Taylor Statham also took exception to the decision of the SBP, saying the Chooks 3x3 players should have been the ones sent to the SEA Games. He also challenged those who believes otherwise to a 3x3 match.
“Think I’m wrong, go to Gold’s Gym (3x3 training facility) with your PBA guys and see how that goes #SkillsOverPolitics,” wrote Statham.
Mascarinas, however, offered to help the SEA Games pool in familiarizing with the 3x3 rules as well as the strategies behind the emerging game.
Panlilio though paid tribute to Chooks to Go Pilipinas 3x3 for the country’s rankings in Fiba.
“Again, I think Chooks to Go has done a very great job in terms of progressing the development of 3x3 and we are ranked 21 in the world. In fact, we have an opportunity to be part of the Olympic qualifying tournament,” said the SBP prexy.
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