With 3x3 basketball becoming a medal event in the upcoming 2020 Olympics, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Chooks-to-Go will work together to stage a league that would help hone the skills of Filipino ballers in the half-court game.
The huge event, which will be organized by SBP, will happen on January 12 and 13, in Cebu and it will feature the kinds from Sister of Mary Boystown and Girlstown.
"We have always been supporting the grassroots program of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. We believe in the projects of SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios," said Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. Sports Director Mel Macasaquit. "There will be at least 50 courts set up with the games happening simultaneously."
According to Macasaquit, the aim of this event is to spread awareness for 3x3 basketball and at the same time earn points from FIBA, which will help in the country's bid to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The event aims to set a new world record with the most number of people playing 3x3 basketball at the same time. Currently, the record for the biggest 3x3 event stands at 7,296 participants during the Spokane Hoopfest 2009 in Spokane, Washington, USA.
"We want to have the world record for most number of kids playing 3x3 basketball. It will take place in Cebu at the Sister of Mary Boystown. I think we are going to have at least 7,000 kids there," Macasaquit shared.
Aside from the much-needed points, Macasaquit added that this will help drum up interest for the upcoming Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 competitions which will feature 12 squads in its inaugural tournament set to start early next year.
"We are very excited with this 3x3 league backed by Chooks-to-Go. This will be the first time that the country will have an organized tournament like this," said league commissioner Eric Altamirano. "We will have teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao."
MPBL club teams Manila Stars, Go for Gold-San Juan Knights, Bataan Risers, Bacoor Strikers, Valenzuela Classic, Marikina Shoemasters, and Bulacan Kuyas have signed up for this endeavor. Also committing are the Zark's Burger-backed Quezon City, the Dondon Hontiveros-owned Cebu, and a team from Davao Occidental and Pasig.
"Though the point system of FIBA is complicated, it all starts by having a league," added Altamirano. "Then when we have a league, we can now join the World Tour which comprises of 40 events. That's where all the points come from."
The first conference of the tournament will have six legs, with the champion squad getting the top prize of P1 million. All of the games will be televised across all platforms of ESPN5.
"What we want in ESPN5 is to elevate 3x3 basketball by broadcasting it with international broadcast coverage. We won't cover it just like any other barangay league, we will elevate it to the international stage," said ESPN5's Lloyd Manaloto.