AFTER holding its first two conferences in Metro Manila featuring 13 squads, the PBA 3x3 will expand into a full-blown nation-wide league in its second season beginning June.
According to PBA vice chairman Bobby Rosales of Terrafirma, the standalone hoopfest will play simultaneous tournaments in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that will culminate in a national championship.
"The PBA 3x3 under chairman Dicky Bachmann has big plans," Rosales said in Wednesday's press conference with PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, treasurer Atty Raymond Zorrilla, and Commissioner Willie Marcial to discuss the pro league's programs for Season 47.
"We expect teams not only from Luzon and Metro Manila to join the PBA 3x3. I'm sure there's a lot of interest in the Visayas and Mindanao and this is the first step of the PBA to go regional. Hopefully, we can do something similar to expand the 5-on-5. But we start with 3x3 first," he added.
Asia's first play-for-play league launched its own three-a-side tournament last year with 10 PBA ballclubs and three guest teams battling for honors in six legs and the Grand Finals per conference.
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Phoenix Super LPG's 3x3 team, Limitless App, emerged as champions of the First Conference while guest team Pioneer Pro Tibay reigned supreme in the Second Conference. Limitless will suit up as members of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 crew that will defend its crown in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
PBA 3x3 enabled the players to earn ranking points and boost their stock in the FIBA 3x3 rankings, benefiting the country in the global totem pole.
"Chairman Dicky also reported to the board that the Philippines has improved its ranking globally in 3x3," said Rosales. (OL)
