Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 has finally received the green light to begin its 2020 season.
Definitely, it was just a minor setback for a major comeback as the President’s Cup powered by TM will begin on Wednesday, October 21 inside Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
This as the Inter-Agency Task Force has given the league a provisionary license to hold its first season from October 16 to 31.
“We are grateful for the Inter-Agency Task Force composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Department of Health, and Philippine Sports Commission for giving us the clearance to hold our bubble,” expressed league owner Ronald Mascariñas. “We would also like to thank Senator Bong Go for helping endorse our request to return to action.
“All of us are excited to get the ball rolling for our season.”
With this, the league’s schedule is as follows.
All 12 teams will have their final practice in UP Epsilon Chi Center in Quezon City from October 5 to 7. For the next two days, everyone entering the bubble will have their RT-PCR testing.
From October 8 to 13, everyone will be under pre-bubble home quarantine before another series of RT-PCR testing will be done before entering Inspire Academy from October 14 to 15.
Teams will begin practice from October 16 to 18 in Laguna.
A preseason tournament will be held on October 19 before the league begins its first leg on October 21.
After the 21st, three more legs will be played on October 23, 25, and 27. The Grand Finals, which has P1-million at stake takes place on October 30.
Everyone in the bubble will leave the venue on October 31 and will undergo a 14-day home quarantine.
Though it will entail a lot of sacrifice from the people entering the bubble, Mascariñas shares that bringing sports back will bring joy back to the Filipino fans.
“Everyone is affected by this pandemic and in our small way, we aim to give hope through the sport of 3×3 basketball,” he expressed.
Teams competing in the FIBA 3×3-endorsed tournament are Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Bacolod-Masters Sardines, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Palayan City Capitals, Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, Porac Big Boss Cement MSC, Bicol 3×3 Pro, Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, Saranggani Marlins, Pagadian City Rocky Sports, and Petra Cement.
Zamboanga is composed of national team pool players Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, Troy Rike, and Santi Santillan.
“We are doing this to help our national team stay competitive before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.”
