CEBU, Philippines - It's green and go for the staging of the first ever Tropang Growee 3-on-3 National Basketball Series covering six key cities all throughout the country. Baguio will host the kick-off leg on August 15-16, while Cebu takes its turn to hold the event as well as the regional finals on September 19-20 at the old Sacred Heart School-Jesuit (SHS-J) campus along General Maxilom Avenue, this city.
The nationwide tournament, which is open to players aged 12 years old and below, also have its stops in Metro Manila on September 5-6, Iloilo on September 12-13, Cagayan de Oro on September 26-27, and Davao on October 3-4.
"We are holding this as a grassroots sports development program for our kids towards a higher level of competition," said Darren Evangelista, CEO of the organizing Evangelista Aquatics and Sports Management, Inc. during a press conference yesterday at Family Choice Restaurant along Gorordo Avenue.
Also present were Growee brand manager Sherwin Arceo, event director Ruel Diaz, and Cebu area coordinator Rey Cañete.
For the Cebu leg, Evangelista said the slots are limited to only 60 teams on a first-come-first-served basis.
Each team shall be composed of four players and a coach and will register through an official application form provided by the organizer. They are also required to submit a team gallery that contains the entry form, photocopy of birth certificate, and school certificate issued by the registrar.
Registration fee is pegged at P500 per team inclusive of four Growee multivitamins 120ml, tumbler, baller, and other freebies.
The top four teams per City elimination will also receive Growee jersey. Aside from trophies, the top three placers will also get backpacks and gift packs plus all-expense paid trip to the regional finals.
All the winners will then converge for the national championships on October 4 in Davao City.
Evangelista, on the other hand, said that initial talks have already been made for the Growee 3-on-3 tilt to be sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
"Whether or not we will be sanctioned by SBP, we will continue to support our kids through sports development," said Evangelista. (THE FREEMAN)