PBA launches Women’s 3×3 Challenge

MANILA, Philippine – Women’s basketball gets a timely shot in the arm as the PBA launches the PBA Dickies Women’s 3×3 Challenge on Friday, October 23.

Twelve teams featuring the best ballers from various collegiate leagues are competing in the tournament – the first of its kind in Asia’s first play-for-pay league since its inception in 1975. 

“One of the most neglected sector in sports is women’s basketball. We in the PBA believe the sport has a bright future. So we are giving it a push, develop it and inspire other lady ballers,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

“I think our involvement in women’s basketball is very timely, considering the success of the Perlas basketball team in the recent FIBA Asia Championship. For the first time our national women’s team has made it to the elite Division 1 of FIBA Asia. It’s a breakthrough and hopefully our involvement and the support of our basketball fans will boost the sport further.” (READ: Perlas Pilipinas shocks India, earns promotion to FIBA Asia tier 1)

Narvasa said the PBA is committed to help women’s basketball that it is also looking to work on a similar project in the PBA D-League and possibly putting up a commercial basketball league for women.

PBA Deputy Commissioner Rickie Santos said the players of the 12 teams – 48 in all – will be introduced at halftime of the lone game between the Star Hotshots and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, following the simple opening ceremony to usher the PBA’s 41st season on Wednesday, October 21. (IN PHOTOS: Perlas Pilipinas defeats India in historic win)

Santos, also named commissioner of the women’s tournament, said the teams will be divided into two groups and will play a single round robin elimination. The top two teams in each group will advance to the crossover semifinals. The winners then tangle in a best-of-3 Finals. 

Games will be played in a span of 10 minutes, or whichever team scores 15 points first.

The elimination round will be held during two weekday playdates of the PBA 2016 Philippine Cup with two games scheduled in between the regular PBA double-header.

“This tournament is a great opportunity for our basketball fans to see how good our lady ballers are,” Santos said.

“Hopefully, this project will be a regular fixture in the PBA calendar and will serve as a springboard for the possible creation of a PBA women’s basketball league.” – Rappler.com