Tough test in FIBA Asia U18 3x3

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine delegation head Mark Solano said yesterday it won’t be easy sailing for the boys and girls teams in the FIBA Asia U18 3x3 Championships in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, as he expects stiff opposition from China, Chinese-Taipei, Lebanon and Kazakhstan in both divisions.

Solano, who is doubling as girls coach, arrived in Cyberjaya with boys coach Anton Altamirano and eight players last Wednesday. The boys team is made up of 6-3 Rhayyan Amsali, 16, of NU, 6-2 Michael Malonzo, 17, of NU, 5-11 Kris Pagsanjan, 18, of Hope Christian and 5-11 Andrew Velasco, 17, of Sacred Heart Ateneo de Cebu. The girls squad is composed of 5-6 Melody Cac, 17, of Chiang Kai Shek, 5-9 Kristine Cayabyab, 14, of Dagupan, 5-8 Reynalyn Ferrer, 18, of Zambales and 5-5 Mayu Goto, 17, of NU.

There appears to be some confusion as to whether the FIBA Asia tournament is a qualifier for the FIBA World U18 3x3 Cup in Chengou, China, on June 28-July 2. FIBA recently released the composition of the groups in the 20-team World Cup boys division with the Philippines and three other Asian countries plus host China in the list. 

Solano, the SBP 3x3 project head, said he was made to understand that the top four in the boys and girls divisions, excluding China, in the FIBA Asia Championships will advance to Chengou. He explained that the draw for Chengou was provisional, pending confirmation of the results from Cyberjaya. The Asian teams pre-selected for the World Cup draw were the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea and Indonesia plus China. A meeting to involve the FIBA 3x3 organizers and the national team coaches was scheduled to be held yesterday in Cyberjara to clarify the process of qualifying for the World Cup. 

In the boys division of the FIBA Asia Championships, the Philippines is bracketed with Kazakhstan and Malaysia in Group B. Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka and Japan are in Group A while Bahrain, Qatar and qualifier Lebanon comprise Group C. China, India and qualifier Chinese-Taipei are in Group D. The Philippines plays Kazkahstan at 6 p.m. then Malaysia at 7:35 tonight. Lebanon qualified for the main draw over India and Turkmenistan while Chinese-Taipei advanced over Singapore and Vietnam.

In the girls division, the Philippines is in Group D with Bahrain and qualifier Lebanon. Group A is composed of Kyrgyzstan, China and Singapore while Group B is made up of Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Indonesia, Singapore and qualifier Chinese-Taipei are in Group C. The Philippines engages Lebanon at 5:20 p.m. and Bahrain at 6:55 tonight. Lebanon made it to the main draw after finishing with the highest quotient over Jordan and Vietnam in the qualifiers. Chinese-Taipei also broke in through the back door over Turkmenistan and India.

After the group eliminations, the top two from each bracket advance to the knockout quarterfinals where A1 takes on D2, C1 battles B2, B1 clashes with C2 and D1 meets A2 tomorrow. The winners then play in the knockout semifinals with the survivors vying for the gold medal and the losers competing for the bronze in a playoff.

Solano said his initial reading is the girls could place higher than the boys this year. “It’s a tougher competition for the boys and I think our girls could have a little better chance,” he said. “I’m surprised why a lot of other Asian countries suddenly joined after not joining last year. There is no Slam Dunk contest in FIBA Asia, only in the World Cup. Mayu and Andrew will represent our country in the mixed Shootout competition.”

In the provisional draw for the World Cup, the Philippines is in Group A with the Netherlands, Poland, Turkmenistan and Israel. A schedule shows the Philippines facing Israel at 6:15 p.m. and the Netherlands at 8:10 p.m. on June 28 and Poland at 7 p.m. and Turkmenistan at 8:15 p.m. on June 30.  

The Philippines won the inaugural FIBA Asia U18 3x3 boys title in Bangkok in 2013 with coach John Flores at the helm. The players were Kobe Paras, Prince Rivero, Thirdy Ravena and Arvin Tolentino. The Philippines beat India, 21-19, in the final. Qatar took the second crown in Cyberjaya last year, beating the Philippines in the final, 21-9. The Philippine team was made up of John Lloyd Clemente, Amsali, John Galinato and Kyle Tan. Amsali is back on the squad bidding to regain the boys title this year.