Is Joshua Munzon the best player in Pool C? FIBA website thinks so

Joshua Munzon has already shown a lot here in the Philippines, but he might be able to pull off more surprises on a bigger stage.

Even FIBA itself seems intrigued by what Munzon – a flashy, 6-foot-4 guard, the top-ranked 3x3 player in the country, the no. 1 overall pick pick in the recent PBA Rookie Draft, and a lot more – can offer.

In an article posted by the international federation on the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament website on May 12, Munzon was dubbed as the ‘best player’ in Group C, the same group where powerhouse clubs from Slovenia, France, Qatar and Dominican Republic belong.

“This is a pretty even group making every game incredibly important. Slovenia have ageless magicians Gasper Ovnik and Simon Finzgar – where do you think Luka learned his moves? – who always ensure World Tour side Piran almost always make the quarter-finals,” the post said.

“They can be hot and cold, but the Filipinos might just have the best player in the pool in Joshua Munzon, who starred late last year in his home country and then in Doha.”

The squad had just reconvened at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna in its preparation to wage war in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) on May 26-30 in Graz, Austria.

Aside from Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, the country’s second-best 3x3 cager, will banner the team alongside Moala Tautuaa and CJ Perez. They will be joined by alternates Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa.

Although they are considered underdogs, FIBA said teams should be wary of the Filipinos as they could have the largest bite when the global slugfest comes along.

And Munzon is leading that pack.

“Can he propel his hoops mad country past the consistently reliable European teams?” the post quipped.

“Don't bet against him.”

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News