Twenty years ago, Team Rebel Sports Pilipinas saw its humble beginnings in West Crame. Having found success, the local sports apparel brand gave back to the community.
Last November 30 to December 1, Rebel Sports organized the Batang Crame 3×3 basketball tournament to help in developing camaraderie in the community through sports. A total of 28 teams, divided into three age groups, competed in the event supported by Letran head coach Bonnie Tan, Blackwater, Pepsi, and Gatorade.
“3×3 is the essence of Crame. We started this project to showcase the homegrown talent of Crame,” said Rebel Sports owner Joel Cu.
“I want to help develop our sports program here and this is our way of giving back to our homebase.”
A simple parade ushered in the tournament last November 30 with a marching band leading the players to the basketball court of Second West Crame. The parade also passed by the former headquarters of Rebel Sports also in the area.
Winning the tournament are Etchok’s Anthony Montoya, Clifford Barata and Christopher Empuerto (Open division); Alikabok’s Joepette Table, Jan Alfred Villanueva, and Renwell Valeros (20-under division); and Ikatlong Kanluran’s Kristofer Quiambao, Aaron Malong, and Renz Macaraeg (15-under). The teams took home P10,000, 8,000, and 5,000, respectively. They were also given medals, lootbags from Blackwater, and groceries.
For Cu, this is just the start of more activities for the community in the coming years.
“Early next year we are going to host a free Batang Crame basketball clinic headed by LPU assistant coach Jeff Perlas while also putting up more tournaments here,” said Cu.
“It’s becoming a challenge for our barangay officials to organize events like this, that is why we are doing this. Batang Crame talaga kami eh.”
