#LabanPilipinas: Ronnie Magsanoc to continue as 3x3 mentor as SBP release OQT pool

After the success in the Southeast Asian Games, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas continues to entrust the Gilas Men's 3x3 to Ronnie Magsanoc as it gears up for the bigger tests ahead in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which tips off in March.

Thanks to its golden sweep in the tournament where it won all eight games in record time, it was fitting that the Point Laureate will continue to call the shots on the national team for Tatluhan, as the federation also releases its preliminary squad for its road to the Tokyo Olympics, which will take place in India.

Highlighting the ten-man preliminary pool are the country's two best 3x3 players in Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol, with both of them are mainstays in the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 for Pasig and Balanga, respectively.

Alongside the pair are the trio of former UAAP MVP Dylan Ababou, ex-PBA D-League champion Karl Dehesa and former La Salle forward Leonard Santillan who are in the top 250 in the World Rankings, with the rules stipulate that the country's four of the six-man team should be in the top ten rankings.

Completing the pool were reigning MPBL MVP Gab Banal, Leo De Vera, Ryan Monteclaro, Jaypee Belencion and Chris De Chavez.

However, Troy Rike who was the fifth-best player in the country missed out owing to residency.

The Philippines are grouped in Pool C with Slovenia, Qatar, France and Domnican Republic, in which 4 spots will be up for grabs in the Indian qualifiers.

Photo credits: SBP (cover), FIBA 3x3 (Munzon)