STILL in search of a first-ever winning season in his PBA career, Sedrick Barefield is now setting his sights on winning elsewhere.
The prolific Blackwater guard expressed a desire to play for the Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3x3 team, whose program was recently overhauled by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Barefield hasn’t played yet for the Philippine men’s team, either on its 5-on-5 unit or its 3x3 squad.
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“Yes, for sure,” said Barefield when asked by SPIN.ph upon learning of his wish to be part of the Gilas pool. “I’m just waiting on an official invite, but I told them that I would love to represent the country with Gilas.”
Blackwater team owner Dioceldo Sy said he’s more than willing to lend Barefield to the national pool.
“If it is for the welfare of the country, we’re always open to it,” he added. “We’ve done that before with coach Pat (Aquino) with the Gilas women’s team and Ever Bilena as one its major backers.”
The Gilas 3x3 team made great strides in the recent FIBA Asia Cup when it reached the quarterfinals behind the quartet of Jerrick Ahanmisi, Ralph Cu, Chris Koon, and Sean Alter after failing to qualify for last year’s edition in Singapore.
Handling the team are trainers Kirk Collier, Patrick Fran, and JJ Espanola.
SBP 3x3 project director Ryan Gregorio is in the process of putting together additional talent to the halfcourt game especially with the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan this September in sight.
Still, he said the ultimate goal is to clinch a berth in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
Gregorio said the SBP will certainly consider Barefield’s offer especially with 3x3 basketball applying less stringent rules as far as allowing players to compete in international tournaments are concerned.
“Yeah, I have my (Filipino) passport. No problem (with that),” said Barefield, obviously aware of the 3x3 tournaments' ‘passport only’ rule when it comes to eligibility.
The SBP decision to revamp its 3x3 program came after the Philippines failed to medal in the sport during the last Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The Gilas women’s 3x3 team however, managed to bounce back big time after achieving a historic silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Cup, and then booking a berth in the FIBA World Cup this June 1-7 in Warsaw, Poland.
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