Those who have been following FIBA 3×3 for some time now have probably taken notice that uniforms bear standard designs, especially in the Pro Circuit.
For starters, clubs that compete in either Challengers or World Tour Masters wear identical jerseys, with the color blocking serving as the only distinction. There was even a time when all teams wore reversible kits with the same colors.
Most leagues worldwide have adopted such, including Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3. The PBA 3×3, however, veered away from it.
The First Conference saw the majority of PBA member teams take the jerseys of their 5-on-5 squads. That, though, changed the following conference, when Team Rebel Sports became the new league’s official outfitter.
Well, the Filipino apparel maker has actually been a partner of the league, with its officials and staffers clad in shirts with the R-brand. But it was only in the Second Conference when it had the liberty to create the team’s kits.
So, Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas did its best to provide identities to the teams through their uniforms. And here are the four which we deem are the best looking ones — four, just like the number of teams automatically seeded in the Grand Finals.
CAME CLOSE
Before taking a look at the Top Four, here are a couple of honorable mentions, so to speak, that caught our attention as well.
PUREFOODS
You can never go wrong with the red, blue, and white color scheme, and Purefoods Tender Juicy did quite a job with its uniforms.
The Titans’ jerseys underwent no alterations whatsoever from what they wore in the First Conference. As they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
But at the same time, we feel like it was a missed opportunity to maximize the Purefoods branding. Imagine how better it could’ve looked had they created kits inspired by Purefoods jerseys from the past, most especially from the 1990s.
PLATINUM KARAOKE
Platinum Karaoke’s uniforms look exactly the same as the ones made by Wilson since taking over from Nike as the official outfitter of the FIBA 3×3.
Yes, from those black and white trims on the shoulders and on the arrow-like side panels, all the way to the black strip on the shorts.
Well, it’s quite fitting, since the guest team is made up of highly-ranked players that boast of rich experience playing in the Pro Circuit.
TOP FOUR
FOURTH-SEED
MASTER SARDINES
Master Sardines is the latest to join the PBA’s halfcourt competitions, basically taking over the spot of Zamboanga Valientes who’s on a ‘break.’
It took the Fishing Champs a bit while to turn heads with their play, but they surely caught the eyes of some with their red and yellow uniforms — derived from the logo of the brand owned by Universal Canning Inc.
Their jerseys aren’t that design-heavy, but look so appealing. Plain yellow pipings, coupled with side panels that contain a diagonal strip of the same color. And, we like that popping fish logo on the shorts, too.
THIRD-SEED
SISTA
It has become a tad rare to see basketball teams wear teal uniforms, thus the refreshment Sista brought visually when it did so.
The Super Sealers’ present jerseys are a bit different from what they wore in the First Conference, made by Phenom Sportswear. The noticeable change was on the side panels, which TRS replaced with two vertical stripes.
It goes all the way down to the shorts, where a clear nod to the Sista branding could also be seen on the sides of both leg openings. And all those are in gold, which, surprisingly, blends so well with teal’s uniqueness.
SECOND-SEED
TERRAFIRMA
What we love the most about Terrafirma’s uniforms is the homage of sorts to most retro jerseys, which feature a stripe that lines only one side.
The Dyip’s current kits are definitely a major upgrade from their previous ones, which were just the jerseys of the 5-on-5 squad.
Formerly black, their dark jerseys now are primarily green, together with black pipings. The side panel is black as well — that features a checkered-like graphic — with white trim, which, upon closer look, bears diamond patterns.
TOP SEED
SAN MIGUEL BEER
San Miguel began its PBA 3×3 campaign wearing the jerseys used by the club since the early 2000s, until Rebel gave the classic threads a remix.
So from those black spikes that wrap around the uniform. TRS switched it to a striking white graphic a la Speed Racer, giving a take so fresh to a set that’s been widely recognized by generations of Pinoy hoop fans.
It is easily the best among the PBA 3×3 uniforms, and it definitely has a place in the organization since they’ve already won two leg titles rocking those.
Will we ever see those unis make their way to the five-a-side? A man can dream, though. But it would be great should that happen, most especially now that the Beermen are going through some sort of transition.
