The Philippine 3×3 national team is eyeing scrimmages against foreign players based in the country to help the squad prepare for the 2017 FIBA 3×3 World Cup this month.
“We’re trying to get bigger practice teams to simulate the FIBA World,” 3×3 coach Eric Altamirano told InterAksyon. “We’re continuously inviting foreign players, mga Fil-Ams, Africans playing in the collegiate ranks.”
Altamirano said playing against bigger opponents is only one of the things the quartet of Kobe Paras, Kiefer Ravena, Jeron Teng and JR Quinahan need to learn in order to compete well in the tournament.
“Number one, they need to get used to sa bola, which is smaller,” he said. “Then you need to get used to the rules, it’s a completely different game, masyadong mabilis. It’s also very physical. I also asked the players to learn how the game is being played, watch the games on Youtube. Iba talaga laro sa 3×3 eh.
“In the 3×3, you need players who are multi-skilled, for example a big man who can play inside but could also step out and shoot from the perimeter.”
The Filipinos will take on host France, Slovenia, Romania and El Salvador in the 3×3 World Cup slated on June 17 to 21 in Nantes, France.