NOW it can be told: The top-ranked 3×3 players in the country would have been handed a lifetime ban by the PBA had they not joined the draft last March.
This was bared by Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas, who told Malaya-Business Insight he thought the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the pro league acted in good faith when they took control of the 3×3 program initially supported and bankrolled by his firm.
“I gave the SBP and the PBA the benefit of the doubt that they had good intentions when they unilaterally wrested control of the 3×3 national team. All the ranked players of Chooks-to-Go applied for the draft when the PBA threatened a lifetime ban if they dodge another draft,” Mascariñas said.
“So, all the ranked players were with the PBA leading to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament,” he added.
Fil-Am wingman Joshua Munzon, the No. 1 3×3 player in the country who was tabbed first overall by Terrafirma, Alvin Pasaol, Leonard Santillan, Troy Rike, and Franky Johnson were among the cagers selected in the draft.
Munzon, Pasaol, and Santillan, along with San Miguel Beer teammates CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa were part of the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 squad that wound up winless last month in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Graz, Austria.
