MANILA, Philippines – Amid praises that the Philippines can be a future world power in 3×3 basketball, the world’s best player Dusan Bulut warns that it will be a long journey before the country can clinch a world championship.
“[There is a] big difference right now between 3×3 and 5-on-5 players,” said Bulut.
Only Troy Rosario had previous experience among the players of Gilas Pilipinas 3×3, which finished 11th out of 20 teams. The team only had 11 practices together before the World Cup.
“I think they are good 5-on-5 players. I think they need to learn much more about this game,” said the Serbian national team player.
“As you see, Russia came with 5-on-5 players, they didn’t make [past] the group [stage]. Philippines came with the professional 5-on-5 players, they didn’t make [it past the] group.”
A dedicated 3×3 player, Bulut claimed a 4th world title to undercore anew the importance of professionalizing the 3-a-side game.
“Three or 4 teams there with professionals in this sport [made it out of the group stage],” said the two-time World Cup MVP.
Bulut starred as Serbia copped its 3rd straight championship after defeating Netherlands for the second time in the finals on Tuesday, June 12. The Dutch, though, look to go all the way next time as Amsterdam will host the 2019 edition.
The #3x3WC final Serbia vs Netherlands was so tense it made us sweat like Manila in June.
— FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) June 13, 2018
https://t.co/MBND1hCLfJ pic.twitter.com/kBk3yGx9RE
Bulut reclaimed the MVP crown after his teammate Dejan Majstorovic stole the spotlight in 2017.
The 3×3 basketball game is one of the sporting events that will debut in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. – Rappler.com
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