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SBP33 listup booths open at SM Malls

02/27/2009

Two unfamiliar booths bearing unfamiliar logos open today in two SM Malls in Davao and Cagayan de Oro in search for not so familiar faces who would soon become the future stars of Philippine basketball.

Young cagers are expected to line up for the SBP33@SM, a new nationwide campaign by the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, with the support of SM, which will comb the country for players who will be given the chance to compete in the World Youth Games in July and in the Would Youth Olympics next year. Both events are set to be held in Singapore.

Formal registration for the Davao leg, however, will begin March 6 to 8 and then again on March 13 to 15 for the 3-on-3 tournament which fires off on March 20 to 22.

The Cagayan de Oro listup is set March 13 to 15, and on March 20 to 22 before the second leg of the tournament is held on March 27 to 29.

Aside from Davao and Cagayan de Oro, other SM Supermalls to host SBP33 legs are those in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Lucena, Sta. Rosa, Pampanga, Baguio and Fairview.

Champion teams from these legs will compete in the National Championships set June 12 to 14 at the Mall of Asia.

The SBP, according to Executive Director Noli Eala, is in search of 3-on-3 teams with a player who should measure at least six-feet in height to fulfil requirements set by the International Olympic Committee and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) for the two new tournaments in their calendar.

“This is a new event in the IOC and Fiba rosters. But 3-on-3 would give us a different venue to discover and nurture new talents aside from the conventional basketball tournaments as we know them. The SBP, under our president Manny Pangilinan, is looking at the opportunity to send athletes who would figure well in the two Singapore tournaments,” Eala said.