Philippines is Fiba model for 3×3 tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Three-on-three basketball, a typical sight on Metro Manila’s densely populated streets and alleys, will soon be a major Fiba tournament.

And according to top Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials, the country will play a significant role in spreading the popularity of the discipline worldwide.

“We were chosen by Fiba as a model for its 3×3 event,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.

Popularly known as three-on-three street basketball, Fiba, the world governing body in the sport, has renamed it 3×3.

The event is now a major Fiba tournament, which culminates in a world championship after the zonal and continental qualifiers.

Handpicked as the discipline’s ambassador, the Philippines is more than capable to host Fiba 3×3, Barrios pointed out.

“Basketball is being played here everywhere. Even on the streets,” said Barrios, who touched base with the Fiba top brass along with SBP consultant Moying Martelino in a meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, last month.

“In fact, I was telling Fiba officials that 3×3 is regularly being played by people from all walks of life in the Philippines,” he added.

Fiba 3×3 first burst into global consciousness during the 1st Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year where the Philippine team wound up ninth among 20 countries.