From the FIBA World Cup then to the SEA Games, Columbian Dyip ace CJ Perez is now bringing his stuff over to the FIBA 3x3 Olympic qualifier.
The 6-foot-1 do-it-all player is bannering the Phl squad that will include another PBA player in Moala Tautuaa of San Miguel Beer plus two amateurs Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol.
Perez and Tautuaa are armed with 3x3 experience from their gold medal-winning performance in the recent SEA Games while Munzon and Pasaol are among the country's highest-ranked 3x3 players by the FIBA list.
This quartet vies to make the coming Tokyo Olympics in the 3x3 OQT in March 18-22 in Bengalaru, India.
"It is an honor for the Philippines to be with the top 20 countries vying for seats at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics," said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.
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"We ask our countrymen to rally behind our team to be part of the Olympiad," added Panlilio, a PBA board member representing the Meralco Bolts team.
Perez, Tautuaa, Munzon and Pasaol made the Phl team based on the recommendation of the selection committee chaired by SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and composed of Jong Uichico, Pat Aquino, Ronnie Magsanoc and Eric Altamirano.
Perez and Tautuaa formed with Chris Newsome and Jason Perkins the Phl team that ruled the inaugural SEAG 3x3 event.
But based on FIBA rules, all four can't make the Team Phl to the Olympic qualifier as they're not regulars in the FIBA 3x3 events.
The Filipinos will be one of the 20 teams which will be divided into four groups of five squads each in the India conclave. The top two teams from each pool advance to the playoffs. The top three at the end of the tourney book a spot to the Tokyo Games. (SB)
