3x3 Olympic inclusion ‘good opportunity’ — SBP

THE INCLUSION of 3x3 basketball in the Tokyo Olympics will be a good opportunity for the Philippines to finally see a basketball team from the country competing in the Summer Games after more than four decades.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP) executive director Sonny Barrios told BusinessWorld that with the 3x3 discipline now part of the Olympics beginning the 2020 Games, Filipino cagers can now pursue their aspirations of ending their drought of not being able to play in the biggest sports spectacle.

“It’s an added avenue for us as we got a chance of finally playing in the Olympic basketball scene, aside from the usual five-on-five event,” Mr. Barrios said in a telephone interview. The Philippines has already played on the 3x3 world stage as players like Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario and Vic Manuel, among others, were able to represent our 3x3 teams over the past two years.

This year, the Filipinos will again take part in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup as top Philipine Basketball Association ( PBA) prospects Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng, US collegiate player Kobe Paras and PBA veteran JR Quiñahan, will carry the country’s colors in Nantes, France, in the tournament starting later this week.

Mr. Barrios said FIBA has yet to inform its federation members on how the qualifying process for the 3x3 in the Olympic Games.