Monday, May 27, 2013

SBP exec bats for Philippine hosting of FIBA Asia 3×3 tournament


Following the success of the Philippine squad in the FIBA Asia Under-18 3×3 Championship, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios will propose to the stakeholders of the cage body the possibility of hosting the prestigious event in the future.

Barrios shared his thoughts to InterAKTV on Sunday.

“It’s a big possibility. In fact, mas madali nga ito kasi mas konti yung kasali. Logistics-wise, the event will be easier to manage,” Barrios said in a telephone interview.

“Kasi sa 3×3, a team is only composed of four players per team plus a team official. Hindi kinakailangang coach yung kasama ng mga players. Pwedeng manager, pwedeng physical therapist. Depende sa kanila. Parang ang ginawa ng FIBA na ruling dito, these guys can coach on their own.”

Arvin Tolentino, Prince Rivero, Kobe Paras, and Thirdy Ravena clinched the gold medal in the FIBA Asia 3×3 Under-18 Championships in Bangkok, Thailand last week.

The Philippines will be hosting of this year’s FIBA Asia Championship, an event that will be held in Manila for the first time in 40 years. Barrios said this will be a good test of how well the country can manage a major international event.

Barrios noted that three-on-three is already popular in the Philippines.

“Kung sa Brazil they play football everywhere, tayo naman dito sa Pilipinas, we have our street basketball. Even sa electric post tapos magbibilog lang ng bakal, makakapaglaro na ng basketball,” said Barrios.


“That’s how popular basketball is in the country and FIBA is aware of how passionate Filipinos are about this game.”

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