FIBA releases sched for 3x3 OQT; PHL pooled with Slovenia, France, Qatar, Dominican Republic

The Philippines will be pooled with France, Qatar, Dominican Republic, and basketball powerhouse Slovenia in the group stage of the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament which will be played on May 26-30 in Graz, Austria.

In the schedule released by FIBA 3x3 on Monday, the Philippines will go first against Qatar on May 26, to be followed by Slovenia on the same day.

The Philippines will be back in action on May 28 when it battles Dominican Republic and France.

According to FIBA, the top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout rounds on the final day, May 30.

"The final day will start with the eight quarter-finals (4 in each gender) and then reach a climax with the six "Olympic Ticket" games (four semi-finals and  two third-place games). The winners of these six games will stamp their ticket to Japan," FIBA said.

The Philippine 3x3 team will be composed of CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Alvin Pasaol, and Joshua Munzon.

In a report by FIBA on April 22, Perez said that the team may lack in height but they will take advantage of their speed as they play for a ticket to Tokyo.

A total of 40 teams for both men's and women's category will play for the six spots which will be awarded in the qualifiers. —Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News