SBP not discounting chance of sending PBA players in Fiba 3×3

Kobe Paras

MANILA, Philippines —It may seem farfetched, but there’s a chance PBA stars could represent the country in a Fiba 3×3 tournament.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is not discounting the possibility of sending an all-pro team to the Asia-Pacific leg of the Fiba 3×3 World Tour in Tokyo this October.

The Philippines will be fielding in three slots in the event, staking spots in the World Tour, set here in July.

The first slot is already reserved for the winner of the Philippine Under-18 3-on-3 Championships which will be held on May 24-25 while the other ticket is open to the young trio of Kobe Paras, Prince Rivero and Arvin Tolentino.

Paras, Rivero and Tolentino teamed up to win the Fiba Asia 3-on-3 title in 2013.

The third team on the other hand, is available to any squad capable of representing the country well in the Asia-Pacific leg and secure a slot to the World Tour in October.

“We can assemble a PBA team, D-League team, or a collegiate team for the third slot,” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told reporters at the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate Tuesday.

Fiba 3-on-3 events manager Ignacio Soriano from Spain, SBP executive director Bernie Atienza, SBP consultant Moying Martelino, Smart Sports executive Epok Quimpo, and SBP legal counsel Aga Francisco also graced the weekly forum.

Other legs of the tournament will also be held in Being, Chicago, Lausanne, Rio de Janeiro and Prague with the top two teams in each leg progressing to the World Tour.

As far as the composition of the third team is concerned, Barrios clarified that it’s still up in the air.

“It being July either the PBA is finished with the third conference or if it is still ongoing only two teams are left playing in the finals,” said Barrios.

“So is it possible? I really don’t know,” added the former PBA commissioner.

Soriano also said the Fiba 3×3 World Tour is open to all the players that even NBA superstars LeBron James or Kevin Durant can suit up for the US if they want to.

“In the World Tour the average age is 35 years old. It’s not about the age and height but the skills,” said Soriano.

The hosting duties of the World Tour was originally offered to the Philippines but Barrios said the SBP had to decline the offer to focus mainly on the World Championship in August and the Asian games in Incheon the following month.

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