
Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 concluded its weeklong training bubble in Calamba, Laguna in preparation for this month’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria.
Joshua Munzon, CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa spent eight days at the Inspire Sports Academy trying to build cohesion in hopes of putting up a competitive team for the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.
Coach Ronnie Magsanoc’s team, however, didn’t get a chance to train with Alvin Pasaol inside the facility known as the “Calambubble” due to health and safety protocols.
Gilas Pilipinas is aiming to secure the final three Olympic slots in the OQT slated May 26 to 30.
But the Philippines faces a tall order, needing to secure a top two finish in Pool C composed of Slovenia, France, Qatar and Dominican Republic to reach the quarterfinals.
Munzon, the country’s top 3x3 player, is expected to play a prominent role in his final international appearance in the halfcourt discipline before starting his PBA career with Terrafirma.
Perez and Tautuaa return to the 3x3 scene after teaming up with Chris Newsome and Jason Perkins to win the gold in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.