PH battles sixth-seed Brazil

Games today (Philippine Arena, Bocaue, Bulacan) 3:10 p.m. – Brazil vs Philippines 6:40 p.m. – Philippines vs Mongolia

BOCAUE, Bulacan — The Philippines meets sixth-seed Brazil and eleventh-pick Mongolia Saturday when the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup unfolds at the Philippine Arena.

Despite having only a month to prepare, top player Troy Rosario feels the host squad will be more than ready to compete against the cagefest’s finest teams.

“We’re excited actually to start our bid,” said Rosario, a 6-foot-7 forward who participated in 3x3 action two years ago in the Manila Masters and World Tour in Abu Dhabi.

“We’ve prepared hard for this tournament. Yes, it’s true we had limited time to prepare. But we did our part to get ourselves ready, the team ready for this event,” added Rosario.

The Brazil game will be played at 3:10 pm while the Mongolian match will be held at 6:40 pm.

Rosario will be joined on the team by TNT KaTropa teammate RR Pogoy, GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle and San Miguel Beer rookie Christian Standhardinger, the top overall pick in the last PBA Rookie Draft.

Adjusting on the 3x3 rules is one of the factors that the Philippines focused on, according to national team mentor Ronnie Magsanoc.

The more popular 5-on-5 game – like the PBA – has a 24-second shot clock, while the 3x3 only uses a 12-second per possession shot clock, while the basketball used is smaller at 28.5 inches in circumference in 3x3.

In comparison, the basketball used in 5-on-5 matches measures a little bigger at 29.5 inches.

Brazil will have 6-footer William Evangelista, 6-foot-1 Marcellus Sarmiento, 6-foot-3 Luiz Felipe Soriani and 6-foot-5 Carlos Silva Jr.