MANAMA, Bahrain – The 3rd Asian Youth Games feature 3x3 basketball as part of its calendar of 24 sports events.
Unfortunately, the Philippines has no entry in the three-a-side event when competitions begin on Thursday at the Exhibition World Bahrain Hall B.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino said the UAAP and NCAA seasons being held at the same time with the quadrennial meet had something to do with the country’s failure to form a competitive team.
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Tolentino added the Filipinos stand a chance of contending for a podium finish.
“Kasabay ata ng UAAP and NCAA, e. Isa yun,” said Tolentino shortly after the Olympic Council of Asia Executive Board meeting on Wednesday at the Art Hotel and Resort here. “Sayang at tsaka may laban doon.”
The Philippines sent 3x3 teams during the two previous staging of the AYG, with the 2009 unit led by Jerick Teng and Mike Tolomia even reaching the semifinals before losing to eventual champion China. It fell short of a podium finish after bowing to South Korea in the battle for the bronze.
Tolentino hopes the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will be able to send teams in the next edition of the meet in Uzbekistan.
“Siguro pag nakita nilang ganito kalaki itong AYG, baka paghandaan na yan sa susunod,” said the POC chief, citing the case of the volleyball girls’ team here. “Kagaya ng volleyball natin, buti may sumali from NU."
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