Two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa headlines an entertaining set of players set to compete at the first-ever Pilipinas United 3x3 League this weekend.
The young Gilas Women will be taking center stage at the inaugural Pilipinas United 3x3 League, a two-day tournament which will feature both men’s and women’s divisions at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay this weekend.
The Gilas Women U23 3x3 team, led by two-time UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa, will be joined by two other Filipino women's teams in Uratex Dream and the Pilipinas Aguilas (HoopJeep).
The 8-squad spread in the women’s division includes teams from Malaysia (Harimau Malaysia Black and Harimau Malaysia Yellow), Japan (MAURICE LACROIX), Vietnam (Hanoi 3x3 by Amigos) and Singapore (Jumpshot).
A hefty cash prize of USD 3,000 will await the top team in the women’s division while the runners-up get USD 1,500.
Meanwhile, a 12-team roster will be seeing action in the men’s division with eight home squads headlined by the Half Court Group while Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Ninja Airs (Japan), DAME DOLLA Vietnam (Vietnam), and SBB (Japan) will be representing the international squads.
SOLARIS A, David Licauco’s Taho Story A, Taho Story B, 360 Smile Dental Clinic, Sidney Onwubere’s YOUGUARD, AMG Physical Therapy Clinic, and dunker David Carlos’ Activate Sports are the other seven Philippine teams.
The men’s teams will be vying for a spot to the Fiba 3x3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October while the top local team to perform will also be qualifying for the Fiba 3x3 Manila Challenger in September.
Also at stake is a USD 5,000 prize for the men’s champion while USD 2,500 will be given to the runners-up.
PUL Commissioner Eric Altamirano spoke about the league’s modest goals in their first-ever staging which includes 20 teams across five different countries.
“We take it as our mission for this league to provide exactly that: an opportunity, an opportunity to shine, show what we’re made of, and most of all, that we Filipinos can compete with the best in the world. This early, we’re excited with what this weekend will bring,” he said.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Inc. also expressed its support of the event, with SBP Executive Director Erika Dy speaking highly about the new league’s impact on Philippine 3x3 basketball — a discipline that has been steadily gaining traction.
“It’s a collective effort among all Filipinos that play 3x3 and tournament organizers like these,” said Dy.
“It really helps the cause of our national team’s goal to move up the rankings when we have more Filipinos playing in platforms like these so we can gain more points,” she added.