It seems like every time the PBA puts forward a path to reform, they take two steps back. Recently PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that the outdated import height requirement for conferences could finally be lifted. There was some rejoicing among those that caught wind of Marcial’s words, but it may have been offset by a PBA development that flew over most heads.

Reports later on surfaced that the PBA would be putting the 3×3 program on hold indefinitely. The primary reason seemed to be the lack of fan interest, but that’s not necessarily a 3×3 problem. In recent years, the 5×5 PBA games have seen a ton of empty seats, with marquee matches now having a 50-50 chance of being sold out even during the postseason.

If anything, the 3×3 program was a boon for those looking to crack the league’s main attraction. Players on the 5×5 squad are moved to the 3×3 team and it can go two ways: Some can see it as a demotion, while there are those that take it as an avenue for extra reps.

Yes, 3×3 is a different ballgame (no pun intended) to playing 5×5 basketball, but reps are reps. After all, it beats spending time on the bench gaining more minutes on a seat rather than mileage on the court. Moreover, some of the PBA’s stars helped give the Philippines a gold medal in SEA Games 3×3 Men’s Basketball.

Perhaps the PBA’s view of 3×3 shouldn’t have been so much about engagement, but rather building on Philippine basketball. The 3×3 scene was one the Philippines continues to face struggles in even against peers they’ve easily beaten in 5×5. One way the country was able to work on addressing that was through the programs of the PBA and Chooks-To-Go. Having a league provided stability and in turn, lifted the level of competition. The progress may have not been evident immediately, but nurturing a program takes time. 

So what’s next for these 3×3 players? The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) certainly provides an avenue to continue playing, albeit in 5×5 rules. Beyond the MPBL, the Philippines has a ton of local leagues given its great supply of players. Filipinos are known for finding a way and these 3×3 players are talented in their own right.

There is a chance, however, the PBA will bring back its 3×3 program as the term “indefinitely” was often cited with the release of the news. The players can go back and all will be restored back to where they used to be. Then again, “indefinitely” could just be a soft landing for what will be a tragic ending to a program that was a blessing for the players.