Another good hope for hoop

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has named Kobe Paras as the first member of the national 3x3 basketball team it is forming with an eye of making it as far as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios yesterday said they have formed a partnership with Chooks-to-Go headed by Ronald Mascariñas and will hold a national tryout to determine the three other players who will join Paras in the pool.

“Kobe (Paras) is the first member of the team and we’re searching for his other teammates through a national tryout,” said Barrios.

He said it’s about time that the country forms a separate pool for 3x3 outside of its senior (Gilas), juniors (Batang Gilas) and women’s (Perlas) squads.

“3x3 is the foundation of basketball. FIBA has always made sure to remind our chairman to take the lead in this sport,” said Barrios.

He added that they are also looking at strengthening the women’s and grassroots teams.

“Our search will not just be limited to the men’s,” said Barrios.

The SBP picked the 6-6 Paras, who finished high school and played some college ball in the US before returning to the country to suit up for University of the Philippines next year, owing to his international 3x3 experience.

He has represented the country in the 2013 and 2015 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championship and 2017 FIBA World Cup, winning two slam dunk titles along the way.

“Kobe will be the face of 3x3 basketball in the Philippines,” said Mascariñas.