The Philippine Basketball Association formally launched the inaugural staging of the PBA 3X3 Tournament with the drawing of lots on Saturday with games starting November 20.

PBA 3X3 Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Willie Marcial launched the proceedings at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

“Exciting times ahead and it starts today,” said Bachmann in his brief welcome remarks. He also thanked the PBA Board, Commissioner Marcial, SBP, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Games and Amusements Board (GAB), FIBA, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.

First order of the day was the drawing of colored balls to determine the groupings and names of all participating ball clubs.

The TnT Tropang Giga, Limitless Appmasters, Zamboanga Valientes, Platinum Karaoke, and Purefoods TJ Titans were drawn in Pool A.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 3×3 is in Pool B along with Terrafirma 3×3, Meralco Bolts 3×3, and Sista Super Sealers.

In the final group are CAVITEX Braves, Pioneer Pro Tibay, NorthPort Batang Pier, and the San Miguel Beermen in Pool C.

The top three teams in Pool A, and the top two in Pools B and C will advance to the quarterfinals. The third best teams in Pools B and C play a knockout game for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth.

The quarterfinals and the semifinals are knockout matches. The remaining two teams then figure in the winner-take-all finals.

The leg champion gets P100,000, runner-up P50,000 and third place P30,000.