MANILA, Philippines – Kinumpirma ni SBP executive director Sonny Barrios kahapon na iho-host ng Manila ang 5th FIBA 3x3 World Cham-pionships sa 2018 at sinabi niyang senyales ito na suportado ang Pinas sa malawakang pagpo-promote ng larong ito.

Sinabi ni Barrios na inatasan ni FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann si SBP chairman emeritus at FIBA Central Board member Manny V. Pangilinan na pagtuunan ng pansin ang pagpapalaganap ng basketball sa tatlong larangan-- grassroots, 3x3 at kababaihan.

“We’re complying with Mr. Baumann’s directive,” sabi ni Barrios. “In fact, we’re staging two national 3x3 championships in the U15 and U17 divisions for boys and girls. That means we’re addressing the grassroots and females through 3x3.”

Ayon kay Barrios, aktibo ang SBP sa pagsali sa mga international FIBA 3x3 events.

Noong nakaraang linggo ang Philippines ay kinatawan nina Rey Guevarra, C. J. Perez, Bright Akhuetie at Sidney Onwubere sa FIBA 3x3 All Stars sa Doha.

Noong October, ang Philippines ay tumapos bilang ninth place sa 20 kalahok sa FIBA 3x3 World Championships sa Guangzhou.

Noong June, sumali ang Philippines sa FIBA 3x3 World U18 Championships sa Astana, Kazakhstan.

Ayon kay Barrios, nakalinya ang Manila na maging host ng FIBA 3x3 World Tour Finals sa 2018 ngunit mas pinili ni Pangilinan ang World Championships.

“We were asked to choose which to host and MVP picked the World Championships which is the equivalent of the FIBA World Cup for five-on-five basketball,” sabi ni Barrios. “The target is to host the event in May 2018 with 20 teams for men and 20 teams for women. It’s a major event and we’re excited to showcase once more our organizational ability to stage a competition of this magnitude.”