Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 will have a couple of weeks to gear up for the FIBA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated from May 26 to 30 in Graz, Austria as it begins its training next week.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said the PBA players who will represent the country have been given the green light by the league to enter the training bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

Meralco forward Alvin Pasaol and Terrafirma guard Joshua Munzon – the two top 3×3 players in the country – will lead the Filipino crew also composed of San Miguel duo CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa.

Rain or Shine big man Santi Santillan will also join the bubble as a reserve alongside former PBA player Karl Dehesa.

“We believe that the Philippines will have a competitive team in Austria,” said SBP president Al Panlilio in a press release.

“It’s good to get this chance to prepare so our players can get back into game shape and develop chemistry.”

Drawn in Group C, the Philippines – ranked No. 20 in the world – will tangle with No. 3 Slovenia and No. 26 Qatar on May 26.

After a one-day break, the Nationals will then lock horns with No. 10 France and No. 33 Dominican Republic on May 28.

Only the top two teams from each of the 4 groups will advance to the knockout round, with the winners of the semifinals and third-place games stamping their tickets to the Tokyo Olympics.

“It’s a big challenge to upset teams ranked in the top 10 of 3×3 [like] Slovenia and France, but we have a good combination of skill, speed, size, and strength to give them a run for their money,” Panlilio said.

“We may be ranked ahead of Qatar and the Dominican Republic, but we can’t count them out either.” – Rappler.com