Cage marathon aims to set new world record

MANILA, Philippines - Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and Asian Cable Enterprises Inc. (Access) are organizing the Philippine Basketball Marathon, a non-stop basketball game which aims  to break the world record of 112 hours and 13 seconds set by  the Missouri Athletics Club in St. Louis, Missouri March 21-25, 2012.

The organizers said they’re choosing 100 hopefuls that will go through medical screening, a major factor for the selection of 30 players that will go through a month-long training, from which the final 24 will be chosen.

Close to 500 pre-selected players attended the tryouts conducted by Rizal Technological University coach Johnedel Cardel at the RTU gym last Dec. 7 and Jan. 18.

Curiously attracting much attention was a dentist in Larry Macapanpan.

“From the first tryout, Doc Larry was chosen as the first player to qualify,” said project head Peeya delos Reyes.

“We’re overwhelmed with the turnout, much more with the 300,000 inquiries worldwide,” said Delos Reyes.

In the first level of the tryouts, the hopefuls went through basketball drills and skills tests. The top 50 from the first tryout returned on Day Two for the scrimmages.

Mitsubishi, Yakult, Burlington, Medical City, Gerry’s Grill, Quiznos, Molten, Crocs, Accel, Coleman, Gong Cha, Iwata, Innovatronix, Timex, Gold’s Gym, SL Agritech, GNC, HTC, Lazada, PG Flex, Security Bank, Gatorade, Canon, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, Power Mac, Ace Hardware, Spenco, Polar, Business World, Discovery Channel, YouTube and Pioneer Insurance are among the sponsors of the fund-raising event.

Organizers have named Gawad Kalinga as a beneficiary.