PBA launches 3×3 league

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Basketball Association is establishing a 3×3 tournament dubbed “Tatluhan sa PBA,” the league has announced.

“This is in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which has been planning this for quite some time,” Commissioner Willie Marcial told the Inquirer on Friday.

The move came after the league elected a new set of officers on Thursday, making Ricky Vargas its chair for a third straight term.

“Tatluhan,” like the 5-on-5 format, will also have a rookie draft, which Marcial said could have less stringent qualifications.

“We’re still going over the details, but everyone’s free to apply—whether you’re playing in Inter-Barangay (games), the MPBL, or in a collegiate league,” he said.

Players drafted for the “Tatluhan” will also have a chance to be made a practice player and could even be elevated into a PBA team’s main roster, Marcial said.

Also discussed Thursday was the extension of a deadline for the rookie draft set this Dec. 8.

The league has decided to move its window for Filipino-foreign applicants to Nov. 29, the deadline for the locals, allowing more aspirants to join the annual selection.

But it should not be viewed as a bid to address what many perceive as a lean turnout, Marcial said.

“Many Fil-foreign applicants have yet to fully secure their papers, that’s we have it bumped to a later date,” he added.