THOUGHTS | THE STATE OF 3X3

When it comes to basketball, the Philippines has always been the top dog in Southeast Asia. Sure, we’ve had our share of missteps, but we’d always find a way to bounce back.

Unfortunately, our 3x3 teams just hit a major setback.

For the first time in SEA Games history, the Philippines missed out on a podium finish—and it wasn’t just the men. The women’s team fell short too.

Despite having Ange Kouame backing up Joseph Eriobu, Joseph Sedurifa, and Janrey Pasaol, Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 still finished fourth. They swept the group stage only to lose to Singapore in the semis and then fall again to Malaysia for the bronze. And honestly, this isn’t even the first time we’ve mentally checked out of a bronze-medal match because we were so disappointed about missing the gold.

In the Asian Games, that frustration usually gets directed at Kazakhstan.

In the SEA Games, it’s Malaysia.

As for the Gilas women, they lost both of their opening matches, so the disappointment isn’t as heavy.

But it still hurts.

It also highlights how we’re lagging behind other Southeast Asian teams. Some would say we need to focus on developing the sport further.

And that sounds great in theory… except the PBA already tried.

Remember the PBA 3x3 league? It couldn’t build enough momentum. Fans didn’t consistently show up, and with the MPBL’s rise and the decline that shut down the PBA D-League, 3x3 felt like an afterthought.

A sideshow.

And that’s a shame, because it’s not.

One weekday, I was at Robinsons Galleria to grab lunch before work. When I entered the ground floor, I saw a full 3x3 court set up. A legit game was happening. I don’t remember the teams, but I do remember how empty the place was. No hype, no stars, no crowd. Honestly, the only people invested were the commentators. I didn’t even know where it was airing. Probably PBA Rush, but if the PBA itself was struggling with attendance at that time, what chance was a 3x3 side league supposed to have?

I actually have two ideas on how we can fix this.

OPTION ONE

Integrate 3x3 directly into PBA gamedays. Play the matches either before the main card or in between the first and second games. That way, fans have to watch. And while we’re at it, each PBA team should field a women’s 3x3 lineup too. This is where I think women’s basketball can shine. Right now, women’s 5x5 has limited pro opportunities. Meanwhile, men’s volleyball is getting the attention that women’s basketball should be getting. 3x3 can be the platform to bridge that gap. More visibility, more opportunity, more development.

And if we’re going pro with this, why not experiment with the format? The PBA already introduced a four-point line. Maybe we can play in multiple sets, volleyball-style, to get more players involved—especially the women.

OPTION TWO

And this one’s a little more controversial—build a reality show around 3x3 tryouts. Think Chris Tiu’s old talent-search program, but upgraded. Something like The Ultimate Fighter, but for basketball. Contestants fight for spots on the national 3x3 team, whether for the SEA Games or international tournaments like the Jones Cup. Feature men and women. Bring in retired legends, celebrities, current players, and top college names to coach or host. It might sound wild, but you’re guaranteed drama, storylines, and most importantly—attention.

One of 3x3 basketball’s biggest advantages over the traditional 5-on-5 game is how easy it is to stage. It fits perfectly in a studio setup, and the games are short enough to film back-to-back. If an NBA Store or a sports bar can accommodate a half-court, then a production studio can easily do the same. Imagine someone like Terrence Romeo—or even Chris Tiu—dropping in and playing an impromptu match with a random celebrity. That’s instant content.

I’ve been saying this for a while now: Korea has mastered this formula. Their variety shows have experimented with basketball, football, golf—pretty much every sport. Their K-dramas have highlighted baseball, taekwondo, and even weightlifting. Meanwhile, the Philippines is known for singing, sure, but with the sheer number of reality singing shows we already have… isn’t it time we try something else?

Media attention. Network attention. Fan attention.

At the end of the day, the 3x3 problem isn’t a “crisis.” Basketball will always draw an audience here. But 3x3 needs its own identity, its own momentum, its own fan base. And if we want to stay competitive, we can’t treat it like a sideshow anymore.