Developing the game of 3×3 basketball at the grassroots level is a must for the Philippines. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said this as the FIBA 3×3 World Cup at the Philippine Arena concluded last Tuesday.
Doing so will help the country develop a pool of dedicated players who can truly represent the Philippines in international competitions.
“That is something that SBP will think about and that’s how to grow a grassroots program (on 3×3) and have a dedicated team to compete globally,” said Panlilio.
Panlilio had talks with FIBA managing director Alex Sanchez on the development of the sport in the country.
The Philippines is currently ranked no. 57 in the world and this can improve if players and tournaments on 3×3 will be registered with FIBA.
“If you do that, our rankings will go higher. The next thing for us is to create an elite team, 1 or 2 teams,” added Panlilio.
As the tournament ended, Serbia successfully defended the men’s title, while Italy claimed the women’s crown
For Serbia, it was their third straight world title and fourth overall.
Just like last year in Nantes, France, Serbia completed a 7-0 record, with Dusan Bulut tallying 7 points in beating Netherlands, 16-13.
Bulut was named MVP of the men’s category.
Newcomer Stefan Stojacic provided 4 points for Serbia, while the Dutch were led by Jesper Jobse’s 6 points.
In the men’s bronze-medal match, Gasper Ovnik hit a game-winning lay-up as Slovenia won, 21-16, and bagged the bronze medal.
In the women’s category, Italy completed a cinderella run and dethroned Russia, 16-12, in the Final.
Rae Lin D’Alie, the shortest player of the tournament at 5’4” was named MVP.
In the women’s bronze-medal clash, the French defeated China, 21-14, with Marie-Eve Paget winning the game with a 2-pointer for a total of 6 points.
Alexandra Theodorean made history by winning her second World Cup Skills Contest. France’s Marie-Eve Paget got the silver medal, while Kazakhstan’s Zalina Kurazova took home the bronze.
Filipina cager Janine Pontejos prevailed in the Shoot-Out Contest and won the first-ever FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold medal for the Philippines.
Russia’s Alexandra Stolyar earned the silver medal for Russia, while Hrvoje Marin settled for the bronze.
Ukraine’s Dmitry “Smoove” Krivenko, topped the Dunk Contest for his second World title and with a total of 130 points, including 79 in the finals