Get funky in Alabang

It’s Vinsanity, without Vince Carter, at its funkiest as Nike unravels a retro kind of hoop haven to jazz up the scenery for the 3-on-3 National Finals at the Alabang Town Center today starting at 9 a.m.

Carter won’t make it to Nike’s shebang. Dr. Funk is skipping the fun. Blame it on the tourism blacklist. Maybe, next year. Still, Vinsanity will prevail as in spirit or so Nike sports marketing manager Auty Villarama promises in today’s all-day program.

So what’s in store for Alabang promenaders? A lot, enthuses Auty. First, there’s Dr. Funk’s playground which will transform the Town Center into a groovy theme park reminiscent of the ‘70s. Auty’s not saying how old he was when Julius Erving tore up the American Basketball Association (ABA) in his lush Afro back in the ‘70s but he’ll be resurrecting some mothballed clothes from his parents’ closet for sure to fit the time zone. Blending with Auty in the backdrop will be musicians, mime artists, ambience actors, street dancers and plain people dressed in fancy retro attire.

As a bonus, anyone in Nike apparel or wearing Nike shoes will be entitled to freebies at the Make-Over Booth and the Face-Painting Kiosk. Once you’re made over and painted, you can get yourself photographed–for free, too. All in the spirit of Vinsanity.

If you’re feeling groovy, why not put on those bell-bottom jeans, wide-striped shirts with drooping pointed collars, and thick-heeled shoes to mix with the crowd?

Before you get carried away, don’t forget basketball, not fashion, is why Nike’s putting on the show. Throughout the day, the playground will be open to fans and hoop junkies willing to try their luck and test their skills in the various interactive events on the side courts like the Kiddo Court, Dare Factor, Dazzling Duo, Trick and Trivia, Hoopla, In-Vince-A-Ball, Confuse-A-Ball, and Champion’s Challenge. Prizes will be given to outstanding performers. Sounds interesting? Check out what they’re all about at the Town Center.

Of course, the main attraction is the battle for the 3-on-3 title. Games are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., kicking off with the eliminations leading into the finals. In contention are 13 high school teams, which survived the preliminaries all over the country the last three months.

Six teams are from Metro Manila–namely, the International Christian School, Jose Abad Santos Memorial School, Philippine College of Criminology, San Beda College, St. Francis of Assisi at Las Piñas, and Xavier University.

Seven teams are from the provinces–namely, St. La Salle of Bacolod, University of Cebu, University of the Visayas, Sacred Heart of Jesus Montessori School of Cagayan de Oro, Emar Learning Center of Davao, Don Bosco Academy of Pampanga, and Baguio City National High School.

The champion will take home P150,000 worth of Nike merchandise and a trophy. Plus, Nike’s giving away a trip to Hong Kong for five–presumably, three players, a reserve, and the coach.

The second, third, and fourth placers will also receive Nike products and trophies.

The provincial teams arrived yesterday morning. The Cebu, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao contingents planed in via Philippine Airlines. The Pampanga and Baguio squads were provided L-300 vans. Nike is shouldering all the traveling expenses and also taking care of the players’ accommodations at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.

Auty said Nike’s hoop endorsers would be around to enjoy the proceedings and hobnob with fans. The big question is: Will the Seigle brothers, Alex Compton, Olsen Racela, Willie Miller, Jun Limpot, Alvin Patrimonio, John Arigo, Nic Belasco, Chris Calaguio and Jeffrey Cariaso come in wacky ‘70s attire?