Coach Ronnie Magsanoc will once again coach Gilas 3x3, this time in the OQT. KOTC (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA—Just about the same time the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 men's pool for the inaugural FIBA 3x3 OQT was unveiled, the SBP also announced on Thursday that Ronnie Magsanoc will handle the squad.
Fresh from leading an all-PBA lineup consisting of Chris Newsome, Jason Perkins, Mo Tautuaa, and CJ Perez to the gold medal in the first SEA Games 3x3 event, Magsanoc will now take charge of the national team that will go to New Delhi for the OQT from March 18-22.
This time, Magsanoc, the concurrent SBP program director for 3x3, will have the luxury of mentoring a pool consisting of 10 of the best Filipino 3x3 players.
From the said pool, six will be chosen to make the final lineup, four of which will come from the Top 10 in the Philippine 3x3 rankings.
Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 commissioner Eric Altamirano, Magsanoc's former teammate at the old San Beda High School and UP, is currently leading the training of the Gilas 3x3 pool.
The Philippines is grouped in Pool C with Slovenia, France, Qatar and Dominican Republic. The top two teams in the said pool will make the quarterfinals. The top three teams in the OQT will enter the first Summer Olympic 3x3 event in Tokyo.
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