PBA, SBP set to launch 3×3 tournament in March

The PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have teamed up to launch a 3×3 event in hopes to boost the country’s Olympic bid.

The PBA 3×3 is expected to kick off in March and more details will follow once the tournament director is named.

“If not Tokyo (in July), maybe 2024 in Paris,” said SBP president Al Panlilio, who also serves as team governor for the Meralco Bolts, in a story on the PBA website.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the PBA 3×3, upon the recommendation of vice chair Bobby Rosales, will be a “stand-alone program” like the D-League where an executive director under PBA commissioner Willie Marcial’s supervision will oversee it.

“Our involvement in 3×3 reassured the SBP president that the PBA is all-out to support the SBP. We’ve been doing that at least in the last four years,” Vargas said during the league’s planning session in Milan, Italy.

The PBA also sees the 3×3 program opening more opportunities for Filipino basketball players.

The event will feature teams from all 12 PBA franchises with possible participation of non-PBA entities.

Marcial, who has been recently voted unanimously by the board to remain head of the league for another three years, said Mighty Sports and Dunkin Donuts have expressed great intention to join the 3×3 event.

For the coming Olympic qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics, the PBA board agreed to lend Southeast Asian gold medal winners CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Moala Tautuaa and Jason Perkins to reinforce the current pool of coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

The SBP selection committee, composed of Sonny Barrios, Eric Altamirano, Butch Antonio, Jong Uichico and Magsanoc, can include two from the new pool additions to team up with two high-ranking Filipino 3×3 players to compose the final four-man roster.

The initial plan is to open the PBA 3×3 to all players not in the active list of PBA teams regardless of age.