RAVENA AT PARAS, INSPIRASYON SA 3X3 BASKETBALL SA CEBU

GAYA ng inaasahan, naging matagumpay ang pagdaraos ng unang araw ng 3x3 basketball fiesta ng Chooks-to-Go at ng Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas sa Cebu noong Sabado.

Nagawang itala Manok ng Bayan-SBP 3X3 ang bagong FIBA-record bilang may pinakamaraming kabataang naglaro ng 3x3 game sa Sisters of Mary School Boystown sa Minglanilla, Cebu.

Umabot sa kabuuang 1,380 mga bata ang naglaro sa walong oras na SBP-sanctioned under-18 tournament para lagpasan ang dating record na 1,114. “We at Chooks-to-Go are really elated with the turnout. But this victory is not ours alone. It’s the country’s achievement,” wika ni Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas. “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the SBP and the sisters from SMS for making all of this possible.”

Kasamang naging mga panauhin sa nasabing event ni Mascariñas sina SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio, Batang Gilas team manager Andrew Teh, at mga dating youth team stars Kobe Paras at Thirdy Ravena na nakilaro pa sa mga bata.

Ang naturang proyekto ay isinagawa sa 50 courts at pinamahalaan nina Mark Solano, Ryan Betia, Xander Gubat, Region XIII director Jerry Abuyabor ng SBP at SMS athletic director Van Parmis. “I’ll put some religious context to this noong sinabi kong divine intervention, divine providence ito. God works in mysterious ways kasi by accident lang nalaman ng SBP na may ganitong klaseng number of courts. And we’re glad that we’re making history with these young kids,” pahayag ni Barrios. “It’s very overwhelming and heartwarming that we got into this partnership with Chooks-to-Go and the Sisters of Mary nuns para magawa natin ito ng sama-sama.” (VA)