by Waylon Galvez
With the backing of a private sponsor, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio is confident that the 3×3 men’s national team could make it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Panlilio commended the association’s partnership with Chooks-To-Go for its support to the national team, in particular the 3×3 program by holding events that are sanctioned by the SBP.
The events of Chooks-To-Go helped the Philippines improved its FIBA 3×3 world ranking to No. 24 at the moment.
“Chooks-to-Go, as a private promoter has been instrumental in helping the country increase its federation rankings and we are thankful to them,” said Panlilio.
Early this year, Chooks-To-Go has been actively conducting 3×3 tournaments, and it has helped the country compile FIBA points for the men’s national team that is one of the keys in earning a spot to the Olympics in Japan next year.
This, and the support from other companies like Manny V. Pangilinan’s Smart Communications, according to Panlilio, helped the 3×3 program of the basketball association.
“Our Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 national teams’ participation in international tournaments combined with local activations initiated by Smart and other local promoters have also helped the men’s and women’s rankings in the Open, U-23, & U-18 categories,” Panlilio said.
