Panlilio explains 3x3 eligibility rule

SBP president Al Panlilio said yesterday the introduction of the 3x3 game as part of the basketball program in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will open doors for Fil-foreigners who were issued their Philippine passports after turning 16 to play for the country without restriction but admitted the qualifying process to be extremely difficult.

In 3x3, FIBA requires players representing a country to simply turn in a passport, regardless of when it was issued. The eligibility rule is different in 5x5 where a player holding more than one citizenship is eligible to represent only one country and must show a passport that was issued before turning 16. The 5x5 rule has disqualified non-Philippine-born Filforeigners from playing as locals in FIBA competitions if they were issued passports after turning 16. The list includes Christian Standhardinger, Stanley Pringle, Chris Ross, Mo Tautuaa, Sean Anthony, Chris Banchero, Rashawn McCarthy, Mike DiGregorio and Jason Perkins. They’re eligible to play 5x5 for the Philippines only as naturalized imports.

With the relaxed eligibility rule in 3x3, the Philippines has enlisted Standhardinger and Pringle to suit up in the FIBA World Cup at the Philippine Arena on June 8-12. They’ll team with Troy Rosario and R. R. Pogoy in the four-man lineup. Two more players are in a wait list in case there is a need for substitution. The deadline to submit rosters for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup is May 8.

Panlilio said enlisting Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan Clarkson, a Fil-foreigner who received his Philippine passport after turning 16, is always a possibility for either the 5x5 or 3x3 game. In 5x5, he’ll be considered a naturalized import but in 3x3, there is no such distinction. “It’s a possibility always but it’s his commitment with the NBA that will be a problem,” said Panlilio. “3x3, globally, is played all year round and FIBA world tours are happening all the time. As far as I know, the eligibility rule in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup will also be applied for the 2020 Olympics.”

Panlilio said now that the SBP and PBA have announced the 3x3 World Cup casts for both men and women, a meeting with the players and coaches will be set up to plot the training schedule. The men’s coach is Ronnie Magsanoc while Pat Aquino will call the shots for the women. The women’s team is made up of Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, Gemma Miranda and Afril Bernardino.

Panlilio said qualifying for 3x3 in the Olympics will be tough. “There are eight slots for the Olympics,” he said.