The owner of the fledgling 3×3 league is setting his focus on securing the Philippines’ slot in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament than dwell on the non-inclusion of the country’s top-ranked halfcourt players for the coming Southeast Asian Games.
Ronald Mascarinas of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc, expressed sadness over the absence of players from the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 he formed this year after the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opted for a 12-man pool composed of PBA cagers.
“Personally, I’m sad for the players because I know they are expecting to represent the country and they’ve sacrificed a lot for this sport. It is their pride and honor to serve their country,” Mascarinas said.
“But this should not distract us from our ultimate objective, which is to qualify in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” he added.
The Philippines is in a strong position to make the OQT as it is currently ranked 22nd in the world after compiling majority of the points from the 3×3 league coupled with active participations in the FIBA World Tour and Challenger events.
The country must stay in the top 24 until the Oct. 31 FIBA cutoff in order to play in the OQT.
That is why the league is set to stage the MelMac Cup next month in order for the Philippines to secure more points and assure its place in the OQT.
Mascarinas even offered the SEA Games 3×3 pool an invitation to join the tournament if possible to help aid their preparation for the biennial meet.
“We’re inviting them to join us in the Melmac Cup that can serve as tune-up games for our national 3×3 pool,” said Mascarinas.
“Our players are eager to share their experiences in competing in a number of high levels FIBA 3×3 international tournaments across the globe in the last seven months to help prepare the PBA 3×3 pool for the SEAG,” he added. (Jonas Terrado)
