THE difference in Fiba rules applied in 3x3 tournaments compared to the five-a-side game paved the way for Fil-foreign players Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle to suit up for the Philippine team in the coming 3x3 World Cup at the Philippine Arena.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said Fiba is more lenient in terms of eligibility when it comes to 3x3 events, unlike in 5x5 competitions where foreign-born players are required to obtain a passport of the country he intends to represent before turning the age 16.
“FIBA has different eligibility rules for 3x3,” said Panlilio when asked by SPIN.ph.
“As long as they have a Philippine passport, they are qualified,” added the SBP chief about the case of Standhardinger and Pringle.
The FIBA eligibility rule has prevented both Pringle and Standhardinger to suit up as locals for the national men’s team.
Standhardinger, the 28-year-old Fil-German and top rookie pick in last year’s PBA draft, played as naturalized player for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2017 FIBA Asia Championship in Beirut, Lebanon.
He did play as a local in the Southeast Asian Games though, as the meet isn't governed by Fiba eligibility rules. The 6-foot-8 Standhardinger, whose mother is from Angono, Rizal, helped the men’s team win the basketball gold in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The same rule applies to the 31-year-old Pringle, the No. 1 overall pick of Globalport in 2014 who hasn’t played for Gilas despite Chot Reyes being vocal about his desire to have the former Penn-State alum in the national squad.
Pringle and Standhardinger were named on Sunday as part of the national team to the 3x3 World Cup the country will be hosting from June 8 to 12. Joining them are TnT Katropa teammates Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy.
Ronnie Magsanoc will calls the shots for the team.