Gilas backer going all out on 3x3 hoops too

MANILA, Philippines – All roads lead to Tokyo.

And with that in mind, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. is marching in cadence with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, its president, Ronald Mascarinas bared on Thursday over a thanksgiving dinner for the Philippine delegation to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Relishing in the vastness of the potential of Filipinos in the 3x3 global circuit, BAVI top honcho Ronald Mascarinas said that he's looking rally behind the SBP's plans in putting up a full-time 3x3 team and organizing tournaments nationwide in hope of securing an outright berth in the Olympic games.

Mascarinas cited the Mongolians -- who beat the Filipinos in the pool phase of the global contest, denying them a good chance to secure a quarters berth -- as an example.

"What we learned from FIBA officials during the tournament, 'yung outright qualification, can be done [If] we organize these tournaments and register it sa FIBA," he explained. "Mongolia outright nagqualify. Lahat ng games, nire-register (nila). If we can do that, we have a chance to gain outright."

"We still have a chance. If we can put our acts together, we'll be sitting down seriously with SBP on how to move forward for us to have a chance in the 2020 Olympics," the backer added.

The specialized format of basketball was officially made an Olympic sport by the Olympiad's governing body only June last year. 

The Philippines -- devoid of expectations in a field of 20, more-experienced teams -- went into the recently concluded World Cup, toppling the sixth-seeded Brazil and the mighty third-ranked Russians. If not for the controversial loss to the Mongolians, the Filipinos could've had a chance at competing deeper in the tournament.

"There is no concrete plan yet, but what's important is SBP's Al Panlilio and the exec director (Sonny Barriors) are dead serious in forming a full time 3x3 team and organizing a sustainable 3x3 tournament nationwide," Mascarinas added.

"The next order is to sit down with SBP and agree on what to do," he closed.