THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has picked the Philippine Arena in Bulacan as venue of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) 3×3 World Cup set from June 8 to 12.
“We moved the tournament to a bigger venue to give more people the opportunity to watch the games,” SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios said on Thursday during the unveiling of the tournament’s logo with local and international basketball officials.
The Fiba 3×3 World Cup is one of several major international basketball tournament the country is hosting. In 2023, the Philippines will be the main host—along with Japan and Indonesia—of the Fiba Men’s World Cup.
Twenty men’s and as many women’s teams will see action in the tournament set at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena.
The country has hosted two editions of the Fiba 3×3 World Tour event—2014 at SM Megamall and 2015 at Robinson’s Ermita.
Basketball stars, such as Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario and Rey Guevarra, played in those tournaments witnessed by rabid Filipino fans.
Barrios said the SBP wants to break records in terms of crowd attendance in the 3×3 World Cup.
“We want to break records and put the Philippines on the [basketball] map,” Barrios said.
Fiba 3×3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez flew to the country to inspect the venue and joined Barrios, Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas and SBP President Al Panlilio and Chairman Senator Sonny Angara, SBP Partner Sen. Joel Villanueva and Smart Sports Head Epok Quimpo in unveiling the logo.
Sanchez said the Fiba chose the Philippines because of its successful hosting of the two World Tour events.
“We are positive that the SBP and the passionate Filipino fans will make it an unbelievable experience for the best 3×3 players in the world and everyone watching on all platforms,” Sanches said.
Aside from the team events, there will be a slam dunk, women’s skills and mixed shoot-out contest.
Fiba will soon announce the composition of the teams that will be based on their rankings. The Philippines automatically earns a slot as host.
Serbia is the two-time champion of the tournament. The Philippines’s best finish was in 2016 at ninth place. Mac Belo, Karl Dehesa, Russel Escoto and Glenn Khobuntin bannered that squad.
Image credits: Alysa Salen