By Waylon Galvez
CJ Perez (Rio Deluvio)
PBA top rookie pick CJ Perez and former Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome will lead the national team’s campaign after they were among those chosen to represent the country in the 3×3 basketball event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.
Perez, from Columbian Dyip and a member of Gilas Pilipinas in the last FIBA World Cup in China, and Newsome of Meralco were selected from a 12-man training pool of PBA players together with Phoenix Fuel’s Jason Perkins and San Miguel Beer’s Mo Tautuaa.
Former pro Ronnie Magsanoc will call the shots for the national team.
This is the first time the 3×3 basketball event, an Olympic sport, will be played in the biennial meet. Action in 3×3 is set December 1 and 2 at The Arena in San Juan.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio said that having professional players (PBA) gives the Philippines not just a solid shot at winning the gold but promotes the sport as well.
“With the aim of winning the country’s first ever SEA Games gold in 3×3 while also making sure that it gets more attention from Philippine basketball fans, the SBP has put together a team that could accomplish both tasks,” said Panlilio.
The national team takes on Indonesia and Myanmar in the morning session and Vietnam in the afternoon on Day 1 of competitions. It faces Malaysia and Cambodia in
the morning of Day 2.
The top four teams will advance in the crossover semifinals, which will be played during the afternoon session of Day 2, followed by the gold medal game in the evening of the same day.
“We applaud the work that all of the players and the staff put in throughout their preparations and we wish them all the best in their upcoming competitions. Our squad is composed of a versatile bunch and we’re confident that their hard work will pay off… Para sa Bayan,” he added.
Aside from the Philippines, also competing in 3×3 are the national teams fromIndonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. The participants play in a single round robin.
The national team takes on Indonesia and Myanmar in the morning session and Vietnam in the afternoon on Day 1 of competitions, and then collides with Malaysia and Cambodia in the morning of Day 2.
The top four teams will advance in the crossover semifinals, which will be played during the afternoon session of Day 2, and then followed by the gold medal game in the evening of the same day.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 