Dunkin Donuts and Mighty Bond have both expressed their intentions to join the upcoming PBA 3×3.
Columbian team governor and league vice-chairman Bobby Rosales bared such during the press conference for the league’s 45th season Tuesday at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City.
That means the 3×3 league will feature 14 teams as all 12 PBA squads will participate in the said tilt.
“All the PBA teams will participate in the three-on-three but we will have two additional teams,” Rosales said.
“Mighty Bond and Dunkin Donuts have expressed their intention to participate.”
Rosales then explained the league’s rules. The teams will be divided into two groups of seven, while a total of 42 eliminations games and 14 playoff games will be played per conference.
Rosales added that the winning squads will receive prize money.
Regarding player qualifications, the league said that there will be no age restrictions, while there will no longer be a draft, contrary to the initial plan.
A team will be made up of four to six players, two of which can be Fil-foreigners.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that he plans to get the 3×3 league going after the Holy Week or some time in April.
The details for PBA 3×3 are being ironed out still, but Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio feels immensely excited about the upcoming project that has the Olympics in mind.
“During our planning in Milan, that was the bulk of the discussion. Of course the regular five-on-five calendars and the programs, lahat ‘yon napag-usapan. We did spend a lot of time on 3×3,” he said.
“And we all agreed that hindi ‘to puwedeng sideshow to the five-on-five. That’s why the PBA really wants to make it a standalone program with the objective of how do we make the Olympics.”
