As our Philippine basketball teams continue their elusive Olympic quest, our national 3×3 men’s and women’s teams boosted their chances as reinforcements are now set to beef up their respective squads.
Elizabeth Jeanette Means, a US NCAA Division II player who saw action for the Westminister Griffins, and Malick Diouf, who was part of the University of the Philippines’ champion team three years ago, are among the naturalized candidates.
They started their naturalization process last Wednesday as they will shore up the Philippine 3×3 men’s and women’s teams that are seeking Olympic berths.
“Since we are going for ranking points that will give us a chance to crack the Olympics, we are having these naturalized candidates, Elizabeth Means for our 3×3 women’s team, and Malick Diouf for the men’s 3×3 team,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy.
Means, according to Dy, topped the list of three choices presented by women 3×3 coach Anton Altamirano, but it appears that the former who had Filipino roots, was definitely the most logical selection.
“We had candidates, but I felt Elizabeth fits the need of the team in terms of height, skill set and understanding of the game,” said Altamirano, son of multiple-time basketball champion player and coach Eric Altamirano.
The younger Altamirano believes Means carries with her the Pinay culture and a Filipina at heart.
“It wasn’t really a difficult decision. She actually has great grandparents who were born here. That actually means a lot to us as we want players who share our passion and patriotism for representing our country,” added Altamirano.
Means is still in the country, attending the workouts of the squad, which is currently in a training camp in Batangas.
“She’s been joining our training, but hopefully, she could spend more time with us next year,” added Altamirano.
The Philippine women’s 3×3 team will compete in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from December 9-20, but Means might not be able to crack the roster in time as she needs to undergo process for naturalization.
With Means likely out of the SEA Games line up, Altamirano will count on players who are in their training pool, among those included in the pool are Mikka Cacho, Jhazmin Joson, Camille Clarin, Kaye Pingol, Tantoy Ferrer, Hazelle Yam, Kacey dela Rosa, Cheska Apag, Ellaine Etang, Jam Meniano, Kristine Cayabyab and Cielo Pagdulagan.
From this training team, the final four players who will represent the country in the women’s 3×3 team will be named.
Our women’s trio will also compete in the FIBA Asia Cup and World Cup qualifier set next year and hopefully, Means would have been already naturalized by that time.
