PH pool for Fiba 3×3 OQT unveiled; Magsanoc named head coach

Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3×3 team pool. CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national pool for the Fiba 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament has been unveiled with Ronnie Magsanoc named the team’s head coach.

As per observance of the Fiba 3×3 rules, the top four players in the country should be part of the 10-man pool thus the inclusion of Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol as the team’s headliners.

Others in the squad are Dylan Ababou, Karl Dehesa, Santi Santillan, Chris De Chavez, Gab Banal, Jaypee Belencion, Leo De Vera, and Ryan Monteclaro, all of whom are players in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.

The likes of Munzon, Pasaol, Ababou, and Santillan all have international experience after representing the Philippines in several Challengers.

https://sports.inquirer.net/371965/philippines-qualifies-for-fiba-3×3-olympic-qualifying-tournament

Magsanoc, who got the appointment from Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, will be in charge of the team, marking another stint as the chief tactician in the 3×3 format.

He led the Philippines to the gold medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games with PBA stars CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Mo Tautuaa, and Jason Perkins as his players.

The players, though, have been training since the latter part of 2019 with Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 commissioner Eric Altamirano handling the sessions together with Liman ace and China head coach Stefan Stojacic, and Serbian strength and conditioning coach Darko Krsman.

“Our players have been training non-stop since November, giving just a few days of break during the holidays,” said league owner Ronald Mascariñas. “This is our last shot at the Olympics that is why we are going all out for this.”

Also helping the team are Troy Rike and Franky Johnson.

The OQT will be played in India from March 18 to 22 with the top three teams qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.