The PBA 3×3 is looking to expand its competitions by adding a women’s division come the Third Conference of the new season ahead.
Chairman Dickie Bachmann on Tuesday revealed the plan that could act as a revival of sorts should that materialize. The league ran a women’s-only tourney a few years ago in its first foray into the halfcourt game.
“We’ve been discussing it just last week with Chairman [Ricky] Vargas and Commissioner [Willie] Marcial about adding the women’s for PBA 3×3,” he told the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum webcast.
“This will happen, hopefully, in the Third Conference,” the amiable executive continued in the session he graced together with PBA 3×3 tournament director Joey Guanio and SBP 3×3 program director Ronnie Magsanoc.
It could be remembered that the PBA Women’s 3×3 was held back in 2015, which was a ‘market test’ as the league looked at expanding by adding a distaff side. The competition lasted for just one season.
So far, the Women’s National Basketball League 3×3 serves as the only three-a-side league for female hoopers in the country. So, the PBA’s plan is surely a welcome development for the players, especially if it comes to fruition.
Bachmann and Co. are now looking for eight teams willing to join the PBA 3×3’s women’s side, and he’s optimistic that they’ll be able to do so.
“We have to find eight teams that will come in – eight guest teams,” he said in the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“We’ve been talking also to our colleagues in SBP, and it looks like we are able to find eight teams that can come in as guest teams for the PBA 3×3. So hopefully, this will push through upon approval of the PBA Board.”
The second season of the PBA 3×3 raises its curtains on September 10-11 at Robinsons Place Antipolo, with 12 teams set to compete.
