By Waylon Galvez
The hosting of the presents a great opportunity for the Philippines to make it to the first-ever 3x3 event of the Olympics in 2020, a FIBA official mentioned during the formal launching of the tournament yesterday.
Alex Sanchez, a Spaniard who is FIBA’s managing director for the 3x3 event, said that while the World Cup set July 8 to 12 at the Philippine Arena won’t serve as an Olympic qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Games, it will give the Filipinos a chance to measure up against other countries.
“It’s going to be amazing, a head start for preparing for the Tokyo Games,” Sanchez said during the launch held at the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City.
“There will only be eight teams in 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but the Filipinos have a chance to get in. The tournament (3x3) should help build momentum, this will help for sure,” Sanchez added.
There is a different qualifying event for the Olympics with three windows of opportunities, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio said that details are being finalized with regards to the composition of the Philippine team.
It will be the first time that country will host the 3x3 which will feature 20 teams from 40 nations in both the men’s and women’s divisions.