Big Boss Cement and two other companies have committed to joining the inaugural staging of PBA 3×3.
League commissioner Willie Marcial and vice chairman Bobby Rosales revealed the news.
For the last two years, Big Boss Cement — which carries the moniker Green Gorillas — has been part of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.
Back in 2019, Big Boss Cement made its debut, winning two legs in the supplemental MelMac Cup tournament.
During the Calambubble season of Chooks 3×3, the Green Gorillas finished in eighth place.
The team consisted of Ryan Monteclaro, Dylan Ababou, Dan Reducto, JP Belencion, Harry Petilos, and James Laput.
Big Boss Cement also had a sister team in the tournament, Petra Cement-Roxas City Rockies, which featured Roider Cabrera, Gian Abrigo, Janus Lozada, and Nikki Monteclaro.
Also joining PBA 3×3 are Pioneer Epoxy and Geanaux Systems Corporation.
Besides the three, also joining are the Zamboanga Valientes, Masters Sardines, and Phenom-BRT Sumisip. They will face the PBA teams sans Alaska and Blackwater.
The league set the buy-in for guest teams at P2-million.
There was a 17th team that wanted to join, but the FIBA format will not be able to accommodate it.
“Actually there is a 17th team, but the confirmation is still being awaited. But if there will be 17 teams I think Chairman Dickie Bachmann might have a problem as far as scheduling is concerned because the format really is ideal for the number to be divisible by four,” said Rosales.
PBA 3×3 looks to begin its season earlier than the 5-on-5 Philippine Cup.
“Right now we’re really pushing for the 3×3 to happen even sooner than the regular five-by-five. Because we believe that it will be easier to launch the 3×3 because there is less personnel involved,” said Rosales.
“Still, it hinges also on the vaccination program that we will be able to conduct which the Commissioner is working on.”
