NCAA Season 94 rides on PH 3×3 basketball success

MANILA, Philippines – The NCAA is gearing towards the inclusion of 3×3 basketball as part of its regular calendar in the near future.

One of the fastest-rising sports in the country, 3×3 basketball is gaining ground within the Policy Board and Management Committee, according to league president Anthony Tamayo of 94th NCAA host Perpetual Help.

“For Season 94, 3×3 basketball will be played as a special event,” said Tamayo. “We will tackle it in the next meeting and hopefully it will be included as regular event in the future because we feel 3×3 basketball is one sport Filipinos are good at.”

It will mark the second year the event will be held in the NCAA after making its debut last season using two divisions – Under-14 and Under-16.

In line with 3×3’s growing popularity in the Philippines, NCAA wants to support potential athletes who dream of playing the sport internationally. 

“The NCAA has always supported the country’s national sports programs by lending our athletes to represent the country in the past and we will continue to do that for flag and country,” said Tamayo.

Next to regular basketball, 3×3 gained popularity especially after past feats in international events – including the country’s hosting of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup this June at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The Palarong Pambansa has embraced the sport after it included the 3×3 format as a regular discipline in last month’s edition in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

It also helps that 3×3 will debut as an Olympic sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, motivating Filipinos who dream of playing in the world’s most prestigious quadrennial event. 

The NCAA is unfolding with defending men’s basketball champion San Beda battling host Perpetual Help at 2 pm on July 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. – Rappler.com