May kabuuang 32 koponan ang sumagot sa panawagan para makilahok sa Intercollegiate 3×3 Invitationals (i3i) basketball challenge na magsisimula bukas sa Xavier School.
Ayon kay tournament director Kiefer Ravena, layunin ng liga na palawigin ang programa sa 3-on-3 basketball kung saan malaki ang tyansa ng Pinoy na mangibbaw sa international tournament.
“Nakita naman natin ‘yung development ng Fiba 3×3. Terrence (Romeo) was able to show his talents at nakapag-champion pa. This is a good way to develop and showcase the talents that our college players have,” pahayag ni Ravena.
Pangungunahan ng UAAP Season 78 champion Far Eastern University ang mga kalahok, tampok sina Prince Orizu, Jojo Trinidad, Brandrey Bienes, at New Zealand native Joseph Nunag.
Sasabak din ang National University na sasandigan nina Alfred Aroga, Matthew Aquino, Reggie Morido, at JV Gallego (Team A), gayundin nina J-Jay Alejandro, Issa Gaye, Matt Salem, at Matthew Pate (Team B).
Kakatawanin naman ang NCAA ng reigning titlist Letran.
“Last week, we met with the i3i group and it was something good because even the SBP has taken 3-on-3 as its grassroots program. Not to deviate from the 5-on-5, but ang 3×3 kasi is community-based,” sambit ni SBP deputy executive director for international affairs Butch Antonio.