Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team in the Fiba Olympic Qualifiers. SBP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas 3×3’s quest for a slot in the Tokyo Olympics begins Wednesday night.
Gilas 3×3, which is in Pool C, opens its campaign in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria against Qatar at 8 p.m. before taking on Slovenia at 9:45 p.m.
The team, which is composed of No. 1 ranked Joshua Munzon, Southeast Asian Games gold medalists CJ Perez and Moala Tautuaa and Santi Santillan, arrived in Austria Tuesday.
Save the date!📍🇵🇭🏀
Catch Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 team as they begin to compete in the FIBA3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament starting tomorrow, May 26!
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— SBP (@officialSBPinc) May 25, 2021
The 6-foot-6 Santillan was named as the fourth member of the squad with No. 2 ranked Alvin Pasaol still groping for form.
“Coaching staff decided to include Leonard Santillan. As you very well know, Alvin’s entry inside the bubble was delayed due to health and safety protocol. He is just slowly getting into shape and his match fitness is not yet at an optimum level,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio.
Perasol failed to join the team in the first half of its bubble training camp at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna due to health and safety protocols.