Chooks-to-Go is planning to hold its own Champions League among the regional basketball leagues that the food industry giant backs.
No less than Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. Pres. Ronald Mascariñas made the revelation, saying that the top teams from Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, NBL Pilipinas, and Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup will see action in it.
He said as much in the One Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas press conference Saturday where all the aforementioned leagues’ heads were in attendance.
“Once quarantine restrictions are eased, we will launch the Champions League where the top teams from each of the three leagues will compete to be the National Champion at magiging pinakamatikas na Manok ng Bayan,” he said.
The entire plan is still being ironed out but Mascariñas and Co. are looking to apply a format similar to that of the US NCAA tournament.
“What we are thinking about is a sudden death tournament. Knockout style like the US NCAA March Madness,” the amiable executive said.
As far as seeding is concerned, Mascariñas explained: “We are thinking of starting it with the top two teams from each league gaining automatic seeding.
“Then there will be a wild card tournament involving the next six teams below the top two teams in each league that will vie for the last two spots in the eight-team field,” furthered the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 founder.
The league’s respective bosses, meanwhile, expressed excitement with the concept for it symbolizes unity within Philippine hoops.
“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi we are very consistent with that One Chooks-to-Go league eh,” said NBL Executive Vice President Rhose Montreal. “From my experience in organizing PCCL iba ang feeling talaga. Kasi sa PCCL all the champions from different leagues across the country compete in Manila, at the end you declare one champion na pinakamagaling na collegiate team.
“So ito, bago kasi may semi-pro, may dalawang pro league. Doon natin makikita talaga how competitive our teams are in our respective leagues.”
MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said: “We’re excited about the Champions League and this is something new that the fans of Philippine basketball will look forward to.
“They’re gonna be excited for this.”
“it’s gonna be exciting,” added VisMin Super Cup Chief Operating Officer Rocky Chan. “One Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas, ngayon ito na. Totoong magsasama sama na ang mga basketball stakeholders regionally.
“Doon natin makikita ang pinakamagaling na teams, players from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao so we’re very supportive of it 101 percent.”
