FIBA postpones 3×3 OQT to 2021

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has decided to move the 3×3 basketball Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) to 2021 in line with Tokyo’s final call regarding the Olympics.

With the ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, FIBA has suspended all its basketball activities and stated that there will be no hoop related activities until August 2020.

After FIBA released their decision, the squad formed by Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Mo Tautuaa, and CJ Perez will wait for another year and will still be the roster that will represent PH for the OQT.

Grouped with powerhouses Slovenia, France, Qatar, and the Dominican Republic, the PH squad has been preparing under the helm of newly chosen tactician, Stefan Stojajic, one of the few Serbians who clinched a world title in a 3×3 tournament years ago.

However, their training was suspended due to the pandemic, and all they can hope for is for them to get back in shape and be in-sync as a team.

Aside from the 3×3 OQT, FIBA also canceled World tour events in Prague, Lausanne, Los Angeles, and Nanjing.