San Beda, Claret, St. Stephen’s join Hoop Challenge

San Beda College, Claret School, St. Stephen’s and Regina Papaya Naturals will compete in Coach Eric Altamirano’s "Holiday Hoop Challenge: The Next Level" as organizers have set the deadline of entries from schools, barangays and even company-backed teams on Saturday.

Altamirano, a Philippine Basketball Association champion coach, yesterday said he was overwhelmed by the response of cage aficionados from all over the country although acceptance of entries will only be on a "first-come, first-served basis."

"We wish we can accommodate them all. This only shows that sports activities should never cease even during the holidays,"said Altamirano, Next Level national chair. The tournament is set at the La Salle Greenhills gym.

Teams must register with complete documents at the Brothers Burger outlet in Greenhills from 1-4 p.m. Interested parties may still call Grandslam Sports and Entertainment (628-65-20) for more details.

The tournament features the 13-and-under and the 16-and-under divisions as at least 10 teams each of the two brackets are expected to register.

Aside from the tournament proper to be held from Dec. 20 to Jan. 4, there will also be a skills clinic for all participants on Dec. 14 and coaching clinic set Dec. 13 which is open for the participating coaches and even outsiders, who need only to pay P500 for the module which will give them a free coaching manual aside from a certificate of completion from coach Altamirano himself.

The participating coaches fees of P500 each will form part of the P6,000 for the whole team made up of 10 players who need to present either their National Statistics Office-certified birth certificates, Form 137 or an unexpired passport along with a valid school identification card.