PATTAYA, Thailand – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vowed to regroup after the country’s 3x3 teams stunningly end their campaigns without a medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
SBP executive director Erika Dy admitted that neighboring countries have caught up as they turned their attention on the 3x3 for their basketball programs instead of the 5-on-5.
That is in contrast to the Philippines, which even lost a league when the PBA 3x3 ceased operations last year.
READ: Gilas 3x3 falls to Malaysia, finishes out of SEA Games podium
Dy said they are looking at what other Southeast Asian countries are doing, citing Singapore, which beat the Philippines, 21-20, in a hard-fought semifinal battle. Gilas 3x3 eventually fell to Malaysia, 21-19, in the battle for the bronze medal at the Nimibutr Stadium.
“We really have to go back to the drawing board and review,” said Dy after Gilas 3x3 Men was ousted from the SEA Games competition in Bangkok.
“We know that in Southeast Asia, the countries here like Singapore really focuses on the 3x3. Halos binitawan na nila ‘yung 5-on-5 program. In fact, ang coach niyan dito, Serbia. Isang taon na ‘yan, may pool sila, marami silang 3x3 tournaments doon. ‘Yan ‘yung mga kailangan nating tignan,” Dy said.
Dy admitted the disbandment of the PBA 3x3 had a major effect to the landscape of the sport in the Philippines as its presence allowed opportunities to play the sport on a regular basis. Founded in 2021, the PBA 3x3 had teams from its 5-on-5 members, and had regular tournaments until it folded in 2024.
The current players on the men’s squad in Ange Kouame, Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sedurifa, and Janrey Pasaol mostly played 5-on-5 back home.
“I think nakasakit talaga sa atin na nawala ‘yung PBA 3x3. This is the first SEA Games we are playing na wala na ‘yung PBA 3x3. Makakakuha man tayo ng players, pinahiram tayo ng PBA, nandiyan si Eriobu and we were able to get Ange (Kouame), si (Janrey) Pasaol, very good player, and sanay na sanay sa 3x3. Tapos si Joseph (Sedurifa) ganun,” said Dy.
“But then again, wala silang tuluy-tuloy na liga na nilalaruan na 3x3 ang laro. Makikita naman natin, iba ‘yung 3x3 sa 5-on-5. We have to review that and make adjustments to how 3x3 is in the country."
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