Jr. NBA Philippines players dominated the 13-and-under and 15-and-under age divisions of the NBA 3-on-3 Philippines presented by Sprite which wrapped up its first ever tournament in the country and in the ASEAN region recently at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
A total of 112 teams in seven divisions – some from Palawan and Zamboanga — experienced the NBA’s newest activity in the country, envisioned to be a yearly tournament that will eventually evolve into a pan-ASEAN competition.
The Fighting Irish from the Notre Dame School of Greater Manila in Caloocan led by 4’7 tall Jr. NBA alumnus Juan Carlo Garcia defeated St. Augustine of Manila in a tightly fought contest, with the diminutive Garcia wowing even NBA Legend and 4-Time NBA champion Horace Grant with his sneaky plays and accurate shooting.
The 3-on-3 team from Sacred Heart Academy-Ateneo de Cebu meanwhile gave their opponents, the IRS of Metro Manila a taste of teamwork and domination as Jr. NBA All-Star players Patrick Nigel Go and Dawn Ochea alongside teammates Julius Cadavis and Dave Wilson Yu used team chemistry and smarts to score 19-5 in the finals of their age division.
Under-17 players from Guadalupe Nuevo (Kalye Capaz), played street basketball at its finest to defeat the Angry Birds of Marikina City, 10-8, in a rugged contest that showed who rules the streets in their respective neighborhoods.
19-and-under Pasigueños who called themselves Cyberville relied on superior heft and power to lead from start to finish behind the heroics of Charlie Bolano, Julius Mark Pinili, Ronnie Anguilero and Khristian Martin Fajardo and defeated Bad Genie of Las Piñas.
The CSB Blazers of the College of St. Benilde – Tanya dela Merced, Jazmin Rachel Benito, Jane Sarah Alcabaza and Jennefer Mayol – scored 15-6 over the University of the Philippines-Manila’s UP Boleras with moves worthy of their championship trophy in the Girls Division.
In the VIP Division, the Tigers playing with the fizz of PBA talents Kenneth Duremdes, Ronjay Enrile, MC Caceres and Gerard Francisco out-duelled the gritty team from Marriott Manila. The Pakitang Gilas Team made up of sports writers Cedelf Tupas, Jae Bolando, Jerome Lagunzad and Reuben Terrado had earlier topped their division but forfeited their championship game to cover the Azkals World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka at nearby Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
But it was Zamboanga that scored big in the NBA 3-on-3 as Zamboangueños Rolando Navarro, Jomie Alvarez, David Sebastian and Alvin Munio defeated Alpha from Manila, 17-15, in overtime in the Open Division.
Scott Levy, denior vice president and managing director of NBA Asia said, “The Philippines is really the perfect place to launch this event because of the country’s rich culture and passion for basketball. This event has given more people who play basketball an opportunity to experience the highs and excitement of the sport and get further involved in the game. We expect this to be an annual competition.”
NBA 3-on-3 Philippines 2011 presented by Sprite brought NBA Legend Horace Grant and the New York Knicks City Dance Team to the country and also offered authentic NBA fun experiences for the whole family at the SM –MOA Music Hall.
SOLARtv Network Incorporated (Basketball TV and NBA Premium TV) joined presenting partner Sprite as official media partner together with Studio 23. Official partners were Energen and Spalding.
Venue partner was SM Mall of Asia and Marriott Manila was the official hotel. [PR]
