The founders of the inaugural Half Court 3×3 Basketball Tournament remain optimistic that the event will serve as a bridge for collegiate players aspiring to turn professional, while also strengthening the Gilas Pilipinas program ahead of the Olympic Games LA 2028.
Mau Belen, the former Gilas 3×3 head coach and the brain behind Half Court, envisions the tournament becoming a platform where young talents can realize their professional basketball dreams across multiple leagues worldwide.
“Hindi lang sa PBA [yung path], pwede pa rin yung pangarap na ‘yon, but if that’s not coming true, like all of our dreams na hindi naman natutupad, sana makita nila yung Half Court as a tool for them to reach their dreams,” Belen said.
She added, “Hopefully, madikit namin yung bridge na ‘yon. Imagine, how many graduating men and women every year, some of them hopeful to enter the professional scene. Pero, how many percent lang ba talaga yung nakakapasok doon?”
Alongside co-founders Chester Saldua, Samboy de Leon, and Matthew Salem, Belen is hopeful that the Half Court program, in one way or another, will also contribute to the development of the Gilas Pilipinas team as the nation prepares for future FIBA 3×3 tournaments and the Olympics.
With the winner of the Half Court 3×3 men’s tournament representing the country at the FIBA 3×3 Pocheon Challenger in October, Belen hopes their group’s initiatives will support the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) in enhancing the country’s presence on the 3×3 stage.
“We hope that we can help the federation; isa ‘yon sa mga key missions namin. Hindi man fully vetted or fully acknowledged, pero with the application of this tournament to the Lite Quest, surely this will add points to the country and hopefully we can do it year in and year out leading into the LA Olympics,” the 32-year-old 3×3 tactician explained.
She further stated, “Hopefully with events like these, we can show that we mean serious business. It’s something that we want to show and make a name for ourselves.”
The Half Court 3×3 Tournament, sponsored by Chooks to Go, Jeep and Auto Icon Alabang, and Okada Manila, will have its elimination rounds on September 7-8 and 14-15. The Grand Finals are set for September 21-22, with all games taking place at Okada Manila in Pasay.
