Ronald Mascarinas opens Chooks 3x3 to all leagues

Chooks 3x3 league owner Ronald Mascarinas has essentially called on everyone to join the league. Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--As parts of his efforts to give the Philippines an outright Olympic 3x3 basketball spot, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 owner Ronald Mascarinas has opened the doors of his league for everyone who wants to join regardless of whether they are in another league or not.

"We are opening Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 to all interested teams from the MPBL, the NBL, the VisMin Super Cup, the PBA, and the public," Mascarinas said on Saturday.

Having more teams would mean more players racking up FIBA 3x3 points, which are the main basis on which countries will qualify either to the Olympics outright or the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The four countries aside from the host country, in the case of the 2024 Olympics France, with the most points accumulated by the Olympic cutoff will get direct invites.

The next 20 nations will play in the OQT to determine the next three teams.

Six of them, however, will get one last chance to enter assuming they falter in the OQT through the universality OQT with one spot on the line.

"Together, we will pave the road to the 2024 Paris Olympics while each team will have a chance to compete in the FIBA 3x3 Pro Circuit," Mascarinas continued.

He then said that once the league gets the necessary clearance, Chooks 3x3 might begin its new season by July.

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