A sportsman who was highly credited for helping 3×3 basketball become popular here put the blame of the country’s debacle in the last Olympic Qualifying Tournament to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

In a press conference on Saturday, Ronald Mascarinas of Chooks Go Go Pilipinas minced no words in blasting the local basketball federation and expressing his disappointment, saying the national team was “doomed from the very start” in the qualifier played in Graz, Austria.

“I will not sugarcoat this. I was really disappointed. Sobrang napakalaking kahihiyan ang binigay nila sa ating bayan,” said Mascarinas.

Lacking enough buildup because of the several health protocols that him them in the course of their preparations, the team made of CJ Perez, Joshua Munzon, Mo Tautuaa, Santi Santillan and Alvin Pasaol took it on the chin so speak, finishing dead-last in a field of 20 after losing all four games.

According to ‘Chooks’ official, the company was not included in the preparation of the OQT despite bankrolling the 3×3 national team in previous years.

“In terms of effort, hindi naman nagkulang. We saw a promise na dito (sa 3×3), we have a better chance. At the end of the day, sinarili ng SBP and PBA na sila na ang magpapadala doon,” he said.

“Tapos kukunin nila but they don’t show importance. Hindi mahalaga sa kanila. Nagte-training na months before ang 5-on-5 natin for a tournament. Ano ang aasahan mo? Sobrang nakakalungkot because nagmukha tayong mga tanga doon sa OQT,” Mascarinas said.

“Bakit hindi nila tinrabaho? The team was doomed from the very start. Paano ka magpapadala sa Olympic Qualifying Tournament ‘yung isang team na hindi man lang nakapaglaro in a single tournament,” said Mascarinas.

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