THREE Philippine teams will see action in the Filbasket International Championship set to begin on Sunday at the MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The Pilipinas Aguilas, Shawarma Shack Makabayan Warriors, and BGC Builders are three of the 10 teams that will figure in the one-week tournament that also drew teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei.
See Maurice Shaw takes act to Makabayan Warriors in Filbasket
The 10 teams were split into two with Pilipinas Aguilar and BGC Builders in Group A with Harimau (Malaysia national team), Bumi Borneo, and Adroit.
Makabayan is in Group B with Pegasus Brunei, KL Aseel, MBC Basketball Club, and Elang Pacific Cesar.
“After the first two tournaments locally, we really saw an opportunity to expand overseas. We had a lot of invites. They wanted to join,” said Filbasket founder and commissioner Jai Reyes.
“Matagal tayong the top country in Southeast Asian in basketball. I’m expecting good performance from the Philippine teams kasi this is our number one sport. The good thing is lahat ng countries are really trying to grow basketball. It’s coming to fruition right now,” said Reyes.
Reyes said October is the perfect time to hold the tournament since most of the Southeast Asian basketball teams are in their preseason.
Reyes also thanked the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Malaysia Basketball Association for their contribution in holding the event.
“They (MABA) helped us in organizing the tournament and getting recognition from Fiba dahil matagal ang process. Going forward, we would like our tournament to be Fiba accredited,” said Reyes.
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