Phenom BRT Sumisip will take the spot of Blackwater in the new 3x3 tournament the PBA aims to start this year.
PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales confirmed the addition of Phenom after the league’s Board of Governors approved Blackwater’s request to skip the PBA’s own halfcourt competition due to the economic losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rosales also announced the addition of Big Boss Cement, Pioneer Epoxy and Geanaux Systems Corporation into the fold, joining early entrants Zamboanga Valientes and Master Sardines.
An 18th team could join the 3x3 tournament, pending some kinks that need to be ironed out, Rosales added.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said teams were asked to pay P2 million to join the new 3x3 league which could start alongside the 46th season depending on the COVID-19 situation.
Phenom BRT Sumisip is no stranger to the PBA, having won the 2019 D-League Foundation Cup crown under the name BRT Sumisip Basilan-St. Clare.
The team also backs the Basilan squad that competed in the MPBL before transferring to the upstart Pilipinas VisMin Cup.
Blackwater is the second PBA team to opt out of the 3x3 after Alaska begged off to conflict relating to the role of its team governor Dickie Bachmann as chairman.