SEA Games basketball competition manager Bernie Atienza said the Singapore Basketball Association informed the organizing Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) of not sending a men’s team in the popular sport 3 on 3, or 3 x 3.

There shall be “no Singapore in 3 x 3. So, we have seven (7) men’s teams na lang ang 3 x 3 natin. No more groupings and six (6) women’s teams pa rin,” said Atienza.

The Singapore Olympic Committee said they could not put a competitive team in the men’s competition of 3 x 3.

Earlier, Singapore also backed out of the men and women’s basketball events that will be held at Fil-Ol Flying V Arena in San Juan and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Atienza, also Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Deputy Secretary General, bared last October 30 that Singapore had decided not to compete in the women’s 3 × 3 and 5 on 5 of basketball.

“PHISGOC (Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee) Sports Services Rachel Dumuk just gave me final confirmation that Singapore women’s basketball and women’s 3 × 3 are out of the Games,” said Atienza.

“So final number would be eight (8) men’s teams and six (6) women’s teams in basketball, and seven (7) men’s teams and six (6) women’s teams in 3 × 3,” said Atienza, who immediately ordered a new schedule in the men’s and women’s 3 × 3 and basketball.

Singapore had also backed out of the women’s indoor volleyball to leave the competition with only four nations competing for the gold medal. Malaysia was the first to decide not to compete during the team draw.

The women’s volleyball will now only have Vietnam, Indonesia, host Philippines and the 11-time champion Thailand. (LO/IAMIGO/CNS)