AS THE Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) season 33 formally opened at the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) gym on October 4, the idea to incorporate 3x3 basketball in next year’s BBEAL was initiated.

Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) Cordillera director and SunStar Baguio president Reynaldo Bautista urged members of the BBEAL to include 3x3 in their upcoming event.

“Hopefully, we could incorporate 3x3 basketball,” said Bautista.

Bautista emphasized the Philippines has a bigger chance competing in the international arena like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics through 3x3 compared to the 5 on 5 basketball.

This year’s BBEAL basketball commissioner, Daniel Soria, seconded Bautista’s suggestion.

The Philippines today is working double time to qualify for the 3x3 basketball 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Just recently, the Philippines was ranked 21.

“We must maintain our number so that we could qualify for the 2020 Olympics,” added Soria.

There are only 24 tickets to the 3x3 basketball Olympics and the deadline is set on November 1.

Nine schools are currently competing in the regular basketball tournament with University of Baguio eyeing to retain both the men’s and women’s competition.

Although basketball has always been the centerpiece tournament of the league, CCDC athletic director Ed Laureano hopes allied sports would share the same light.

Archery, badminton, baseball, chess, sepak takraw, table tennis, and wushu will also see action in the first phase of BBEAL.

Members of the BBEAL technical committee will meet this week to finalize the schedule for the allied sports.