Ronnie Magsanoc optimistic about Gilas 3x3 despite 'heavyweight' field

Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 head coach Ronnie Magsanoc makes no promises except to do their best when his squad sees action in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament against some of the world’s “heavyweights”.

Magsanoc, who only convened with his wards on May 1, admitted that they will have a mountain to climb en route to the Tokyo Olympics as they will go up against powerhouse teams like Qatar and Slovenia on May 26 and Dominican Republic and France on the 28th.

But the decorated mentor is hardly disheartened, saying he’s confident with his material – his players.

The team is bannered by San Miguel Beer duo of CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa along with PBA rookies Joshua Munzon of Terrafirma and Alvin Pasaol of Meralco. They will be joined by alternates Santi Santillan of Rain or Shine and Karl Dehesa.

“The teams are not only strong, these are elite countries, these are heavyweights and we’re very sure that the tournament will be a tight race,” Magsanoc told GMA News Online in a telephone conversation Thursday.

“But the way I look at it, the mere fact that we’re given the chance to be here and train together, there’s really a chance. I can’t promise anything but we’ll only do our best.”

The team is currently in the thick of its crucial buildup at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna and from there, they will fly to Graz, Austria on May 23 for the qualifiers set from May 26 to 30.

The Filipinos, currently ranked No. 20 in the world, will need to win as many games as possible in a Group C that also has Slovenia (No. 3), France (No. 11), Qatar (No. 26), and Domincan Republic (No. 33) in it.

Only the top two teams of each of the four groups will move on to the knockout stage, where the winner of the semis and third-place games will book a slot for the Summer Games.

Magsanoc, who has been in the 3x3 circuit since 2018, said he’s tempering his expectations but stressed that with the talent and skills of his stalwarts, they may be the first Philippine basketball team in almost 50 years to enter the Olympics.

“To be honest, it will really be hard, time is also not our ally, but we’re putting our trust in each and every one,” said Magsanoc, who steered the nationals to a gold medal finish during the 2019 SEA Games.

“The important thing is we’re given the opportunity.” —JMB, GMA News