SBP expresses desire to send Gilas 3×3 squad to Serbia for FIBA preparations

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is currently planning to send the official 3×3 lineup of the Gilas Pilipinas to Serbia – as part of their preparation for the upcoming FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament – while at the same time spending a few weeks for an intensive camp.

SBP president Al Panlilio recently talked to the PBA 3×3 executives and asked if they can include the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in their meeting.

Former Chooks-to-Go 3×3 commissioner Eric Altamirano and now PBA 3×3 tournament director then bared that there will be an Olympic qualifier this coming May.

Panlilio added that he asked Altamirano and his team to present the needed preparation and possible camps that the 3×3 squad can go to with Serbia being at the top of the list.

“I think he wants to even send a team out to Serbia prior to the OQT to practice and to be able to compete,” Panlilio said regarding Altamirano’s plans.

For the FIBA Olympic qualifier this May, the venue will be held at Graz, Austria on May 26-30. This was originally set on March 18-22 but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 official lineup consists of PBA draftees Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol and PBA superstars Moala Tautuaa and CJ Perez.