Chooks-to-Go will pull out all the stops in the country’s preparation for the 2020 FIBA 3X3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next March in Delhi, India.
A day after the world governing body’s announcement of the Philippines’ inclusion to the tournament — which has three tickets to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at stake — Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 commissioner Eric Altamirano already has a concrete plan for the national team’s program.
Besides the 2020 season starting this January, Altamirano unveiled that the pool will also train abroad, specifically in Eastern Europe or China.
“We already have a plan and we just have to finalize it with Boss Ronald [Mascariñas]. Offhand, we are giving these guys a break because they have been working hard the last nine months,” said Altamirano, Saturday night during a press conference held at Bar One in Crowne Plaza, Ortigas.
“After that, we have to start preparing. We will have training camps abroad to prepare. And then of course, individual strength and conditioning programs kasi mas malalaki ang kalaban natin in the OQT.”
After all, Altamirano believes that advancing to the knockout round of the OQT is doable. Joining the Philippines in Pool C are world no. 6 Slovenia, no. 10 France, no. 17 Qatar, and no. 33 The Dominican Republic.
“Now that we are in the Qualifiers and I saw the groupings, hindi siya kasing hirap ng ibang groups. Although nandun yung France and Slovenia, it’s doable. With the proper preparation, we can shock the world,” said Altamirano.
“I believe in our players. The one year of experience we had is enough for the Olympic Qualifier.”
The composition of the national team will be two players from the top 10 and two from the top 50 or players that have the minimum number of ranking points.
