By JEREMIAH SEVILLA
SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – The PBA is eyeing to launch its inaugural 3×3 tournament before the start of the 46th season next year.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said the Board of Governors has agreed to kick off the 3×3 tourney prior to the target opening on April 9, 2021 during the virtual meeting on Thursday.
“Gusto nilang simulan (PBA 3×3) bago magsimula ang season. Kung kaya namin simulan nang January or February, gagawin namin agad,” said Marcial.
Marcial said the 3×3 committee will look for possible candidates for the position of full-time director or commissioner of the tourney to be chosen by the board.
The committee is chaired by Dickie Bachmann of Alaska with members Atty. Raymond Zorilla of Phoenix, Erick Arejola of NorthPort, Meralco assistant coach Ronnie Magsanoc (representing the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) and league’s technical official Joey Guanio.
The tilt, which will run under FIBA 3×3 rules to allow the collection of ranking points, is targeted to be held in-between conferences, enabling the regular five-on-five players to participate.
Marcial stressed that the players who intend to join the PBA 3×3 needs to enter the Rookie Draft first. Top Filipino 3×3 cagers Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan and Troy Rike have already bared their intention to enlist for the next season’s draft set on March 14, 2021.
“Kailangan pumasok muna sila sa draft bago sila makasali. Tataas pa rin naman ‘yung puntos nila.”
The PBA was already set to launch its 3×3 tilt earlier this year to help boost the country’s FIBA 3×3 rankings but the Covid-19 crisis forced the league to put it on hold.
