Qatar basketball veteran Yaseen Musa has been playing basketball for about two decades now, and among his favorites throughout a stellar career is being in Manila.
In his third year with Team Doha for the FIBA 3×3 World Tour, Musa once again trooped to the Philippine capital to represent his home, and found it enjoying to play in a place that shares the same excitement and passion like he does.
“I really love playing in Manila whether it is 3-on-3 or 5-on-5. The Filipino people understand the game. Last year was nice, this year is even better. Hopefully until I retire I can play here,” Musa shared. “Basketball here is very popular. In other countries, basketball is only the second or third sport. As you can see, I love Manila. Win or lose, it’s about having fun. That is what’s important.”
Musa was also part of the Doha team which made the finals of the 2014 edition of the Manila Masters, and was also in town during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.
Since the inception of 3×3 as a formal sport, Musa did not hesitate to join and banner his country, saying the discipline gives his home a better chance of competing. “Our basketball federation has been very interested in 3-on-3 and in this sport it is easy to make history. In 5-on-5, it is tough to compete because of countries with big population like the USA and European countries,” Musa said, also adding top officials of the Qatar Basketball Federation are part of the 3×3 Committee.
True enough, Musa was also part of the Qatar squad which won the FIBA 3×3 World Championship in 2014. “It is good for the small countries. You have a big chance of winning the competition.”
Already grateful of his hoops career, Musa wishes in the future, Qatar continues to make waves in 3×3. “Hopefully we continue to grow and one day this sport will be an Olympic game,” the Al Rayyan player said.
“This is the life. Every time you step on the floor, you give everything you have.”
