PBA holds 3x3 draft in February

MANILA, Philippines — In a bid to cope with the fastest-growing and booming international exposure of 3x3 basketball, the PBA is set to usher in the New Year with the establishment of its own professional 3x3 league.

The plan was first announced last November during the last PBA Board of Governors meeting where TNT KaTropa’s Ricky Vargas was voted as chairman for the third term in a row.

In February, Asia’s oldest pro-league in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will finally turn the blueprint into reality with the holding of the first PBA 3x3 Draft. It is set on Feb. 17 with all 12 PBA teams to assemble their own 3x3 squads.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that this is the league’s step to help find and develop talents for 3x3 international tourneys.

“The 3x3 basketball has been on the PBA’s plan for quite some time especially after the country hosted the FIBA 3x3 World Cup last year then just this month, the staging of the first-ever 3x3 event in the 30th SEA Games,” Marcial told The STAR. “3x3 basketball may be our way back to the Olympics so this is part of that grand dream. Inch by inch, we will help to achieve the dream.”

The 3x3, also known as halfcourt basketball, made its debut in the recent SEAG with the host Philippines completing a twin-kill in men’s and women’s divisions.