SBP, SM Malls sign youth 3-on-3 accord

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) yesterday linked up with SM Supermalls in its nationwide search for young talents who could be given the chance to compete in the World Youth Games in July and the World Youth Olympics in 2010.

The new partnership comes as a boost for the SBP 33 Championship, a nationwide search for youth cagers in three divisions, whose champions will represent the Philippines in the two newly created events by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Basketball Federation (Fiba). Both events will be held in Singapore.

Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP president and chief supporter of basketball and boxing in the country, signed the partnership agreement with top officials of SM Supermalls yesterday at the Activity Center of the SM Megamall, making the leading mall chain as the official venue of the 3-on-3 nationwide basketball eliminations, with the national championship to be held also at the Megamall.

SBP 33 is the SBP’s response to Fiba’s creation of 3-on-3 youth basketball, which is now an Olympic event.

“We are promoting 3-on-3 as an Olympic event where the Philippines has a chance. Our partnership with SM Supermalls gives us an opportunity to reach out to as many athletes as possible nationwide,” said Pangilinan

SM Malls president Hans Sy and Tessy Sy-Coson, vice-chair of SM Investments, were represented by Jonathan San Agustin, SVP for marketing, and Chiqui Tan, SAVP for marketing in behalf of SM Supermalls.

SM will host 10 regional/provincial eliminations in its key stores in the provinces. The 10 regional champions will advance to the national finals with the winning team seeing action in the Singapore jousts.