MANILA, Philippines—Aside from providing exciting halfcourt hoops this weekend, the Pilipinas United 3×3 League has bigger goals in mind.

During the league’s presser earlier this week, commissioner Eric Altamirano said the PUL 3×3 is also geared toward helping Filipino basketball aspirants qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

READ: New 3×3 league hopes to take PH hoops to ‘greater heights’

“As ED (SBP Executive Director) Erika said earlier, they encourage promoters like us to do these types of tournaments because it really helps the federation gain more ranking points,” Altamirano told the Inquirer.

“The 3×3 is different from the 5-on-5 when it comes to the pathway going to the Olympics. So, the 3×3 is by getting points from the players and their points go to the federation. So, if you have a lot of local players playing, continuously playing, they also continuously gain points.”

If points are the main objective, the PUL 3×3 has potential to make an impact based on the country’s current standings in the world rankings.

READ: Altamirano continues lending hoops a winning hand

As of posting, the Philippines’ men’s federation has 416,760 points and is the 46th best in the world. It is also the tenth seed in the Asia Pacific region.

In the women’s ladder, meanwhile, the Philippines are in a much better footing with 402,037 points as the 16th best in the global ranking while being fifth in the Asia Pacific zone.

“If you have a lot of tournaments such as this, then it helps the federation gain more points, thereby helping us qualify for the Olympics.”

Aside from the push for global points, the PUL 3×3 will also feature celebrity clashes in the half court this Sunday.