MANILA, Philippines — Played passionately on side streets and sand lots, 3×3 basketball will be contested on a different level when the Philippines hosts the Asia Pacific leg of the Fiba 3×3 World Masters Tour next month.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios said Filipinos are equipped with the skills, quickness and outside shooting to shine in the event popularly known hereabouts as “tatluhan.”
Four Filipino teams will be formed for the July 19 and 20 tournament at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong—one from the Philippine Basketball Association, the SBP 3×3 national champion Naga City Titans, the Philippine under-18 squad and another team which has yet to be named.
The teams will face eight foreign squads with the finalists advancing to the world championship in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 11 and 12.
Joining Barrios during Tuesday’s press conference were SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and Fiba 3×3 events manager Ignacio Soriano.
Soriano said Fiba chose the Philippines following Manila’s successful hosting of Fiba Asia Men’s Championship last year where Gilas placed second to punch a ticket to the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain.