PBA 3x3 goes on indefinite break

By Ivan Saldajeno

SAN JOSE, Batangas--The foreseeable future could be bleak for men's 3x3 basketball in the Philippines as the PBA decided to suspend the operations of its 3x3 league indefinitely.

The PBA 3x3 ran for three seasons just as the country began moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league set the tone for the rise of new international club 3x3 tournament contenders like Pasig-TNT and Lubao-MCFASolver.

One of the possible reasons the PBA 3x3 had to close shop in the meantime, according to a person privy to the situation, is the lack of available players.

The source said many players who have seen action in the previous PBA 3x3 staging have already signed with MPBL teams, leaving only a few clubs that have rosters competitive enough for PBA 3x3 action.

The Chooks-to-Go program was also put on hold, which helped pave the way for Mac Tallo, the Philippines' number one 3x3 player right now, to sign with the MPBL's Abra Weavers.

This means the country, which once successfully strived to capture a spot in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2021 due to the said roasted chicken store's 3x3 tournament series, does not have an active pro 3x3 league at the moment.

For now, Pasig-TNT will only have the Red Bull Half Court World Finals in New York City to think about pending invites to FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters and Challengers.