Young cagers strut stuff in 3×3 Challenge

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Aside from spearheading the country’s bid to qualify for the 3×3 event in the Olympics, Chooks-to-Go is also developing 3×3 basketball on a grassroots level.

The brightest young 3×3 cagers in the country converged at the Food by the Court in Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City last May 10 to 13 for the 2019 Chooks-to-Go/Wilson Basketball 3×3 Challenge.

A total of 88 teams competed in the four-day event that saw national champions crowned in the 19-under, 16-under, 13-under, and 10-under age groups.

“We hope to help find talents across the country who can represent us in 3×3 tournaments,” said Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league owner Ronald Mascariñas. “And with the help of Wilson Basketball, we can increase the awareness of 3×3 basketball to the youth with these types of tournaments.”

Wilson Basketball is the official ball of FIBA 3X3 and Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3.

In the 19U division, the Cavite quartet of Shawndy Algire, Francis Ignacio, Ongking Caylo, and CJ Austria capped their dominant campaign with an 11-4 trouncing of a three-man Manila East squad to complete a five-game sweep of this level-five tourney.

Metro East, composed of Miles Cruz, Allen Alvarado, Andrei Cruz, and JB Discutido, took the crown in the 16U division after edging Camanava, 18-17, in the final.

Antique’s Andrie Kaabay, Kent Navarro, John Ryan Mondano, and Abraham Wollowick were crowned as the 13U champions after defeating Metro Manila, 9-4, while Pototan’s Tabby Espartero, Jacob Javelosa, Carlos Reonal, and Ryton Celis ruled the 10U division after escaping Bacolod, 14-13.

All the winners brought home P20,000 worth of goods from Chooks-to-Go, RC Cola, Toby’s Sports, Niña Asiana, Red Bull, Minute Burger, Under Armour, and AQ Supports.

Chooks-to-Go ambassadors Calvin Abueva and Kobe Paras served as guests of honor in the event.

“Nakakatuwa na makita na buhay na buhay ang 3×3 dito sa bansa natin,” said Abueva, a member of the Manila North squad that competed in the 2015 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Finals. “Sa larong ito talaga titibay ang isang bata kung gusto nila magpatuloy sa basketball.”

(It’s great to see that 3×3 is very much alive in our country. This game will really help kids strengthen their game if they continue playing basketball.)

“Being an athlete, it always feels good to teach the kids what you have experienced,” added Kobe Paras, a former member of the Men’s National 3×3 Basketball Team. “Hopefully, me and Calvin gave them some bits of advice that they could use moving forward both on and off the court.”