The first of the two-day 3×3 basketball fiesta of Chooks-to-Go and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was a rousing success.
The Manok ng Bayan-SBP 3X3 notched the FIBA-record for most kids playing in a 3×3 game, Saturday afternoon at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla, Cebu.
A grand total of 1,380 kids signed up in the FIBA 3X3 Play app and played in the eight-hour, SBP-sanctioned under-18 tourney. This shattered the previous-FIBA record of 1,114.
“We at Chooks-to-Go are really elated with the turnout. But this victory is not ours alone. It’s the country’s achievement,” beamed Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the SBP and the sisters from SMS for making all of this possible.”
Gracing the event together with the sports patron were SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio, Batang Gilas team manager Andrew Teh, and former youth team stars Kobe Paras and Thirdy Ravena.
This project by the SBP that was played across 50 courts was headed by SBP’s Mark Solano, Ryan Betia, Xander Gubat, Region XIII director Jerry Abuyabor, and SMS athletic director Van Parmis.
“I’ll put some religious context to this nung sinabi kong divine intervention, divine providence ito. God works in mysterious ways kasi by accident lang nalaman ng SBP na may ganitong klaseng number of courts. And we’re glad that we’re making history with these young kids,” said Barrios. “It’s very overwhelming and heartwarming that we got into this partnership with Chooks-to-Go and the Sisters of Mary nuns para magawa natin ito ng sama-sama.”
The champions of Leg 4 – Joeffrey Ramiso, Argie Basaya, Dennis Gantaloa, and Alunar Escraman – ruled day one of the tournament, beating Leg 3 champions – Jayar Tigle, Junel Mainit, Alexander Respito, and Bretneil Zamoria – in the ‘champion of champions’ battle in front of their Alloysian peers.
ohn Vincent Valenzona, Jimboy Roxas, Ralph Kendrick Delposo, and Mark Anthony Gidayawan of B46 won Leg 2. The B32 quartet of John Louie Lechedo, Archie Samonte, John Rey Ichon, and Adrian Cacaldo topped Leg 1.
But there is one more record still standing – the most number of participants in a tournament, which is set at 1,898. And on Sunday, the SBP looks to topple this record as well at Girlstown in Talisay.
“We are not yet done,” declared Mascariñas.
