CHOOKS 3X3 INVITATIONAL SA PAMPANGA

MAY pasilip ang Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 para sa sisimulang bagong season sa isasagawang one-day invitational tournament sa Miyerkoles sa Laus Events Center sa San Fernando, Pampanga.

Kabuuang 12 koponan ang sasabak sa torneo sa pagtataguyod ng TM na inaasahang magbibigay ng maaksiyong panimula para sa nakatakdang season ng local 3×3 tournament ngayong taon higit at bumababa na ang mga kaso ng COVID-19 sa bansa.

Huling lumarga ang 3×3 noong Oktubre 2000 sa ginanap na President’s Cup sa Inspire Sports Academy sa Calamba, Laguna.

Ayon kay league owner Ronald Mascariñas, malaking tulong ang pagsasagawa ng sports para manumbalik ang matatag na katauhan ng Pilipino na mahabang panahon ding nagtiis dulot ng pandemya.

“The pandemic has really affected our goal of garnering valuable FIBA 3×3 points for the country in our dream of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” pahayag ni Mascariñas. “For us to reignite the fire of our stakeholders and team owners, we organized  this one-day tournament which has no entry fee.

“It’s about time 3×3 basketball returns,” aniya.

Binubuo ang 12 koponan ng HeiHei Manila, Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod, BRT Sumisip Basilan, Homegrown Grains Bocaue, AMACOR Mandaluyong, RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija, Pasig Kingpins, Adam Esli Pasay, MNL Kingpin Quezon City, Essen Immunoboost Sarangani, Zamboanga Valientes, at ARQ Builders Cebu.

Suportado rin ang torneo ng Gatorade, Chooks!, ang pinakabagong dine-in restaurant na nakatakdang ilunsad ng Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, at Adobo Connection.

Gagamitin sa liga ang FIBA 3×3 World Tour format kung saan hahatiin sa tatlong grupo ang 12 koponan para sa single round elimination. Ang mangungunang dalawang koponan sa bawat grupo ay makauusad sa knockout playoffs.

Pinapayagan ang mga koponan na magpalaro ng foreign reinforcements.

Naghihintay ang premyong P100,000 sa kampeon, habang P50,000 at P20,000, sa runners-up.

Nagsagawa ng pagpupulong ang organizers at mga kinatawan ng koponan kahapon kung saan tinalakay ang ipatutupad na health and safety protocols, gayundin ang FIBA 3×3 rules.

“Actually, I commend the company for preparing for this event. I am so thankful to Chooks-to-Go for pulling off this event kasi it’s time to go back to normal,” sambit ni league doctor Dr. Jefferson Pagsisihan.

“Definitely, it is possible to have this safe event for as long as the teams and the league will adhere to the rules of GAB and the IATF, we will be able to do this tournament.

“For all the players, just come and play. We will take care of the safety and health of everyone. Just play and entertain the people because we need 3×3 back,” aniya.

“Ready kami because we have reviewed the rules of FIBA 3×3,” pahayag naman ni league technical head Comm. Hector Villanueva, patungkol sa ligan a aprubado ng Games and Amusements Board (GAB).

“Ang importante kasi dito is maibigay natin ‘yung international standard of officiating in our league. Si Chooks kasi ang nagpapataas sa ranking natin kaya dapat we need to follow the same officiating as the international tournaments.” EDWIN ROLLON