THE Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 squad left the country for Singapore yesterday with its sights trained on surpassing a surprising fourth place finish last year.
Whether the charges of coach Lester del Rosario can pass their initial test will be known today when they launch their bid against Draw D top qualifier Qatar in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup at the Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Square.
Almond Vosotros of powerhouse TNT and Cavitex’s Napoles will spearhead the Filipino quarter that includes Samboy De Leon and Brandon Bates.
PBA 3×3 tournament director Joey Guanio and Ronnie Magsanoc, national program head on 3×3 by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas joined the trip.
Gilas 3×3 ousted top seed Mongolia in the quarterfinals on Vosotros’ game-winning two-pointer last year but lost to New Zealand in the semifinals and fell to China in the battle for third.
The country is bracketed in Pool D along with Qatar and the top qualifier in Draw D, which is composed of Malaysia, Iran, Hong Kong, and Brunei.
The top two teams to emerge in their respective groups will advance to the knockout quarterfinals.
Pool A is led by top seed Mongolia and the host country along with the top qualifier in Draw A.
Pool B is made up of Japan, Australia, and the Draw B top qualifier. Pool C is bannered by China, India, and the Draw C No. 1 team.
The winner of the three-day tilt will earn a spot in the 3×3 qualifiers to the Paris Olympics next year.
In women’s play, long-time 3í—3 standouts Afril Bernardino and Janine Pontejos will team up anew with Khate Castillo and Clare Castro.
The Gilas women’s 3×3 quartet will go into the tourney as the 10th seed and is grouped with top seed China and eighth seed Iran.
The Filipina cagers are raring to improve on their showing last year when they wound up winless after failing to make it to the main draw.
Gilas women 3×3 lost to Jordan and Thailand in the qualifying draw.
