Perez, Tautuaa banner Philippine team to 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

MANILA, Philippines — Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio yesterday named PBA players CJ Perez and Moala Tautuaa, and top-ranked 3x3 players Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol to the Philippine team that sees action in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament on March 18-22 in Bengaluru, India.

Panlilio’s decision was arrived at based on the recommendation of the selection committee chaired by SBP executive director Sonny Barrios with members Jong Uichico, Pat Aquino, Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano.

“It is an honor for the Philippines to be with the top 20 countries vying for seats at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Panlilio. “We ask our countrymen to rally behind our team to be part of the Olympiad.”

Perez and Tautuaa, half of the national team that captured the 3x3 gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last December, will be loaned by their mother PBA teams Columbian Dyip and San Miguel Beer, respectively, while Munzon and Pasaol came from the pool formed by Chooks-to-Go.

Serbian coach Stefan Stojajic and conditioning coach Darko Krsman are currently overseeing the day-to-day training of the squad.

The Filipinos will be one of the 20 teams which will be divided into four groups of five squads each.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the playoffs, and the top three at the end of the tourney will book a spot to the quadrennial games.