The PBA remains keen on staging the PBA 3×3 inaugurals this year even if the 2021 season is still hanging in the balance due to the ongoing pandemic.
Commissioner Willie Marcial said that he’s been in constant talks with broadcast partner TV5 on how they can finally get the ball rolling for the new league.
“Kinakausap pa namin ang TV5 regarding sa 3×3,” the amiable league chief said in a virtual press conference Thursday.
“Tingnan muna namin kung ano mapapag-usapan namin ni Ma’am Sienna,” added Marcial, referring to Sienna Olaso, Vice President of Channels and Content of Cignal TV.
The PBA Board of Governors, last February, gave the green light for PBA 3×3 to start this year. The target opening was before Season 46.
Teams then began signing talents for their 3×3 squads. Sister teams Meralco and TNT signed Jason Brickman and Jeremiah Gray, respectively. On the other hand, Phoenix Super LPG secured the services of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Other ball clubs, meanwhile, are looking at their other picks from the 2021 Rookie Draft last March as possible players for their own 3×3 teams.
The ten PBA member teams will be part in the standalone league. Six guest teams are also out to add more spice to the competition.
The newcomers are Zamboanga Valientes, Master Sardines, Geanaux Systems Corporation, Big Boss Cement, Phenom BRT Sumisip, and Pioneer Epoxy.
Except for Geanaux Systems and Pioneer, the guest teams have already been indoctrinated in the halfcourt game. They were all part of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, the first-ever 3×3 league in the country.
There has been much anticipation for PBA 3×3 but the pandemic, unfortunately, has thrown a monkey wrench into those plans. Still, Marcial and Co. remain optimistic that it will finally get going this year.
“‘Pag naayos namin, na-plantsa namin, go na tayo — kung payag si Ma’am Sienna sabay, o kung papaano. Pero mas maganda nga, pag-usapan namin para maisabay ‘yung lipad ng 3×3.”
