If the sport of volleyball has two disciplines in the UAAP (indoor and beach volleyball), why not basketball?
That’s the idea that former two-time UAAP Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player Kiefer Ravena and Rack Sports presented to the UAAP baord.
3×3 basketball, more commonly known as streetball, greatly differs from its fullcourt, 5-on-5 counterpart. Besides having only four players on the roster (three players and one substitute), the game is only played on a halfcourt and is a race to 21 points. Moreover, the 12-second shot clock tests the decision-making of a player, while on-court skill sets are balanced out as well
With this, Ravena, who heads sports start-up group Rack Sports, is hoping that the 78-year-old collegiate league adds 3×3 basketball to the UAAP calendar. “Hopefully this can be included in the UAAP. May initiative na yung ibang UAAP board members to make it a UAAP sport. Sana talaga,” the 22 year old National Men’s Basketball team cadet member said.
“It’s another way of showing a student-athlete’s talent. Yun naman yung pinaka gusto natin na ma-maximize yung talento ng mga players na nakikita natin.”
San Beda’s Davon Potts and the Red Lions-A were crowned as the inaugural i3i Champions
Ravena’s proposal is to have 3×3 basketball played in the second semester of the UAAP calendar, opposite the 5-on-5 basketball and the beach volleyball games. “Yung iba siguro hindi man makalaro sa 5-on-5, sila naman magrerepresent ng 3×3 ng school nila. So same credit, yun yung gusto namin. Added sport siya and (at the same time) added exposure sa mga college players na makapag-laro pa,” Ravena added.
Much to his surprise, one proponent of the addition is University of Santo Tomas UAAP board member Fr. Ermito De Sagon, OP. In a meeting two weeks prior to the first i3i Championship last Sunday, Fr. De Sagon disclosed to Ravena that the UAAP board had been wanting to add this new discipline to the league. “Actually, nauna na pala siya na present sa board na gusto niyang gawing UAAP sport ito. Nung ni-meet niya kami, natuwa siya kasi someone is supporting yung gusto niya and may nag-oorganize din ng sport na ito,” he shared.
With the facilities of his group Rack Sports, Ravena and his group are willing to help out the UAAP with the logistics of organizing the sporting event. “With our group, gusto lang namin padaliin yung buhay (of the organizers) since we are a specialty group that is specializing on 3×3,” he said. “If the UAAP wants to call us up and handle their events, we will be happy to do so.”
However, the former King Eagle does not know if and when this idea will come into fruition and, at the end of the day, concedes that this is still in the hands of the schools involved in the league. “When it comes to deliberation and everyone’s with it, it’s easier. Sa decision naman nila, maghihintay lang kami,” he closed with high hopes.
“As long as we represented our intention to help organize this event, hopefully maging part siya ng UAAP.”
Who are your dream 3×3 teams that will represent your school? Sound-off in our comments section below!
