The process of selecting talented players who can be part of the national men’s 3×3 team has started.
And it begins by registering tournaments and players who dabble in the sport.
Businessman sportsman Ronald Mascariñas said this as he led efforts to boost 3×3, in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“3×3 basketball has always been close to our hearts. Dito tayo lahat natuto at nagsimulang maglaro ng basketball,” said Mascarinas, who is the president of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc., during press conference yesterday at the Bar One Restaurant of the Holiday Inn Ortigas.
Kobe Paras, who has joined world 3×3 events twice, will be back as the first official member of the national squad. A talent search will now be focused on three new members of the team who will join him.
The players who will be selected must be part of the regular basketball team when chosen.
For the past few months, Mascarinas has been very vocal in forming a full-time national team. The sports patron believes 3×3 basketball is a starting to point to this dream.
“This is the foundation of basketball in the Philippines,” added Macarinas.
The Philippines is currently ranked no. 43 in the world, and this can improve if players and tournaments on 3×3 will be registered with FIBA.
And if the Philippines, makes it to the Top 8, it can join the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said the FIBA has encouraged the Philippines to take the lead role in promoting 3×3 in the past.
“The FIBA has always reminded our SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan that we should take the lead role in Asia regarding 3×3,” said Barrios.
He added that there is no shortage of tournaments, since 3×3 is played everywhere.