HEAVY FAVES. Zamboanga City-Family's Brand Sardines is the top favorite to win the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup, prompting league owner Ronald Mascariñas to give another PHP100,000 to the team that will eventually face Zamboanga City in the final. (Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go)
MANILA – Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 owner Ronald Mascariñas announced on Sunday that he just added a stipulation to this year's President's Cup.
Mascariñas said another PHP100,000 will be given to the team that will make the final in one of the four legs of the said conference provided that Zamboanga City-Family's Brand Sardines also makes the final.
"We also have to reward the teams that have taken the time and effort to face them. That is why we raised the stakes for our first conference," Mascariñas explained.
Zamboanga City has Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol -- two members of the Gilas 3x3 team to the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year -- in it, and both players are using the tournament as part of their training.
The additional pot is seen as a motivator for the other 11 participating teams, namely Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Bacolod-Masters Sardines, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Palayan City Capitals, Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, Porac Big Boss Cement Green Gorillas, Bicol 3x3 Pro, Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, Saranggani Marlins, Pagadian City Rocky Sports Valientes, and a team backed by Petra Cement, to give Munzon and Pasaol as well as Troy Rike and Santi Santillan the needed intensity to become prepared in the global level.
The old Top 3 prize pool, where the winner gets PHP100,000, PHP30,000 for the runner-up, and PHP20,000 for the bronze medalist, will be implemented if Zamboanga City misses the final.
The President's Cup is scheduled for an Oct. 2 start at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, where all the teams converge through a bubble.
The other three legs will take place on Oct. 4, 16, and 18, while the grand finals will happen on Nov. 7, where PHP1 million awaits the conference champion. (PNA)
