Former Chooks-to-Go 3x3 commissioner Eric Altamirano was formally tapped as tournament director of the PBA’s own 3x3 tournament which starts this year.
Alaska team governor Dickie Bachmann, who chairs the PBA 3x3 committee, bared that he and Altamirano are scheduled to meet next week to begin crafting plans for the new competition which was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Altamirano’s appointment came months after stepping down as founding commissioner of the two-year-old Chooks 3x3 league.
He will join the committee that includes team governors Raymond Zorrilla of Phoenix Super LPG and Erick Arejola of NorthPort, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3x3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc and PBA technical official Joey Guanio.
“Basically for me, it’s a no-brainer,” sajd Bachmann in a virtual press conference following Thursday’s Board of Governors meeting at the PBA Office in Libis.
“He’s experienced in running 3x3 tournaments, and the PBA’s gonna learn from him. So it makes sense to hire someone who handled everything in 3x3,” he added.
Altamirano once served as SBP’s 3x3 program director before being named commissioner of the Chooks league that started in 2019.
His last duty with Chooks was last October when it held the five-leg President’s Cup under a bubble setup at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. It was also the first conference for Chooks since it was granted pro status by the Games and Amusements Board.
The ex-University of the Philippines star also handled teams that competed in several FIBA 3x3 World Tour competitions and the preparation of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 pool prior to the postponement of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament last year due to the pandemic.
Bachmann said most of the 12 PBA teams plus four guest squads are likely to play in the several pocket tournaments during the course of the year.
He also added that plans are for the PBA 3x3 to stage three to four legs.