The 2019 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup is set in May, but the Philippines will have to get through the eye of the needle before seeing action in the continental spectacle to be held in Changsha, China.
Both the Philippine men’s and women’s squads will have to play in the qualifiers, which will be on May 22-23.
Gilas 3×3 are grouped in Pool A, along with Qatar, Iran, Samoa, and Thailand. The Qataris are the highest ranked in the group as they are the 12th best men’s team in the world.
The winner of the Men’s Pool A will advance to the Asia Cup, and will face New Zealand and host China in Pool B.
It is still unknown whether the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will get its players from the pool of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.
Perlas 3×3, on the other hand, are in Pool A — together with Samoa, Chinese Taipei, and Vanuatu. The Filipinas are the highest-ranked team in the group as they are 37th in the world.
The best team of the Women’s Pool A will battle Japan and Sri Lanka in the main round and will complete Pool C.
The Philippine contingent for both men’s and women’s has yet to be named.
The Philippines last joined the 3×3 Asia Cup in its inaugural year in 2013 in Doha, Qatar, with only the men’s team. They went all the way to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Jordan.
Australia will be the team with the biggest target on its back this year since they are the defending Asian 3×3 champions. They did so by dethroning Mongolia, the champs in 2017.
The FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup 2019 will be on May 24-26.
