Collegiate basketball star Kiefer Ravena dropped by the PBA games Wednesday night to promote on the TV broadcast’s halftime segment an upcoming 3×3 tournament which he organized.
Ravena is spearheading the Intercollegiate 3-on-3 Invitationals (i3i) which shall be held from March 19 to 20 at Xavier School in San Juan City.
There shall be 48 teams in the tournament, and among those competing are top collegiate squads in Metro Manila, like Ateneo, UST, La Salle, NU, UP, San Beda, and San Sebastian, to name a few.
“It is going to be a good look and a new one, kasi three-on-three ‘to, iba ‘to. So hopefully it can be a good kick off for the sport. And it is a good way to increase knowledge about the sport,” Ravena said.
Last year, Ravena joined Jeron Teng, Ola Adeogun, and Bright Akhuetie in an exhibition game at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 All Stars. The Philippine side defeated a Qatar under-18 squad in front of an energetic and pro-Pinoy crowd, 18-11.
Ravena looks forward to having a fun atmosphere at the 3×3 competition given its fast-paced nature, and hopes more Filipino players realize the nation’s potential when it comes to the discipline, especially with the passion the country has for hoops.
“Mabilis siya, full of action, it will highlight the skills and maximize the exposure of the players since ngayon medyo lull tayo sa college basketball (season) so hopefully we can do that,” Ravena shared.
“Yun naman ang pinaka goal namin and hopefully we can help Filipinos know more about three-on-three and how we can excel.”
The FIBA 3×3 World Tour made its way to the Philippines in 2014 with the Manila Masters leg, and 3×3 has been given an overwhelming reception ever since.
The Philippines has been part of FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championship tournaments in the recent years, and this year, the country shall be participating in its first FIBA 3×3 World Championship.
With the 3×3 discipline becoming a sport Filipinos can consistently be competitive at, Ravena hopes the two-day event is just a kickstarter to a myriad of possibilities for the country in the sport.
“Ang masaya dito, three-on-three, (the game) is really nothing serious, like an ‘informal’ tournament for lack of a better term. But it is something we Filipinos can be good at. Hindi natin nakikita yung potential natin lalo na sa mga ganyan, kalye (style) yan eh. Malaking tulong yan para sa atin,” Ravena said.
