TNT, Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer were drawn to separate groups for the initial leg of the PBA 3x3 tournament which starts Nov. 20 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The Tropang Giga are joined by the Purefoods TJ Titans, Limitless Appmasters, Zamboanga Valientes and Platinum Karaoke in Pool A which was determined during the official launch of the league’s own halfcourt event.
Ginebra is in Pool B with Terrafirma 3x3, Meralco Bolts 3x3 and the Sista Super Sealers while joining SMB in Pool C are the Cavitex Braves, NorthPort Batang Pier and Pioneer Pro Tibay.
Under the format, the top three teams in Pool A and each of the two best squads in Pool B and C will advance to the quarterfinals.
The third placers in Pool B and C, on the other hand, will square off in a knockout game to determine the last quarters slot.
The winner of the first leg will receive P100,000 while runner-up and third-placed team get P50,000 and P30,000.
Six legs and a grand final are scheduled in the first leg of the 3x3 tourney, which was supposed to start last year but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members of the 13 teams attended the kickoff event led by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and 3x3 chairman Dickie Bachmann.
Also in attendance were tournament director Joey Guanio, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas deputy executive director Butch Antonio, PBA deputy commissioner Eric Castro and national 3x3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc.