Chooks to Go 3×3 Hoop Organizers Eye World Record

Organizers of the Chooks to Go 3×3 SBP Basketball Tournament aimed not only to discover new talents and promote the sport, but also a possible world record for most number of players in a competition.

Samahang Basketball nang Pilipinas (SBP) Region 7 Director Rico Navarro said he is optimistic that Cebu could make its mark in the history of 3×3 basketball when the Queen City of the South plays host for a two-day tournament this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 12 and 13, at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown and Girlstown in Minglanilla town.

“The results of this competition will still be validated by the FIBA Switzerland. But even if we can’t break the world record, giving the kids an opportunity to showcase their talents has already made us achieve our goal,” Navarro said during a press conference on Wednesday at the Capitol.

Pioneered by the International Olympic Committee and relentlessly promoted by FIBA, 3×3 basketball started to gain prominence following its world-stage competition debut at the 2010 Youth Summer Olympics in Singapore.

Lawyer Ramil Abing, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission, one of the organizers, was elated that the Sister of Mary School Boystown and Girlstown was chosen as host.

“The school has been among the beneficiaries of our grassroots programs. It means SBP has seen the fruits of our labor,” Abing said.

“With this tournament, Cebu can carve a niche in the international scene again,” he added.

Expected to grace the event are UAAP standouts Thirdy Ravena and Kobe Paras, who are seen to spice up the two-day affair.

At least 277 teams made up of 1,111 players will battle it out for the boys under 18 division, while 397 squads with 1,585 players will see action in the girls under 18.

Each game will be played for 10 minutes.

Alward Espina, Cebu Business Center head of Chooks to Go, said the company did not hesitate to support the tournament since the project is a grassroots program that is in line with the company’s mission. (Cebu Provincial Gov’t)