FILE – TNT celebrates after winning the PBA 3×3 Third Conference grand finals in thrilling fashion. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—The PBA 3×3 is set to return for its second season on September 10, chairman Richard Bachmann announced Tuesday.
A total of 12 teams will be participating with the games to be held every Saturday and Sunday at Robinson’s Malls in Antipolo, Novaliches, and Malabon as the PBA 3×3 aims to gradually stand on its own.
“We will now have our own schedule which is separate from the PBA schedule,” Bachmann said on Tuesday during the online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
In the past, 3×3 matches are held on the same days as PBA games, serving as a precursor.
PBA 3×3 also intends to form its own national pool and not rely on the PBA 5×5.
“That’s the plan. We don’t want to bother the PBA 5×5 anymore,” said Bachmann, who added that the PBA already has a lot on its plate with its three-conference schedule as well as its commitments with Gilas Pilipinas.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3×3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc believes the PBA 3×3 has no shortage of players who could represent the country in international tournaments like Fiba events, Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and even the Olympics.
“We will build our own and create a national pool. We’re optimistic in building homegrown talents and eyeing talents from abroad. So far, so good,” said Magsanoc.
Season 2 will feature in-house teams Ginebra, Blackwater, Cavitex, Meralco, NorthPort, Purefoods, San Miguel Beer, Terrafirma and TNT, and guest teams Pioneer Elasto Seal, Platinum Karaoke, and new guest team J&T Express.
“We launched this event during the pandemic so it was difficult, but we did well. We had a mix of our own teams and guest teams and the champions were different [per conference], and we will continue that,” Bachmann said.
Tournament director Joey Guanio said the PBA 3×3 will have three conferences this year with the second conference set in November and the third in January. There will be six legs and one grand finals for each conference.
Guanio said it is possible that foreign teams could join the PBA 3×3 in the future. In fact, the league already had initial talks with representatives from Singapore and Vietnam.
“We’re also discussing adding a women’s tournament and that might happen in the third conference. It looks like we will be able to get eight teams. It will be upon the approval of the PBA board. Hopefully, it will push through,” said Guanio.