SBP33 goes full blast with Davao listup

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh basketball faces are expected to come in droves when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas opens its registration booths tomorrow for the SBP33@SM Supermalls at the SM Davao to signal the start of its search for the best 3-on-3 squads, which will represent the country in two international tournaments in Singapore.

SBP33@SM Supermalls will begin accepting four-man teams with a player not standing shorter than six feet in height in the Elite Category for boys 15 and 16 years old, with the national winners earning the chance to don the country’s tri-color in the World Youth Games in July and in the World Youth Olympics next year.

The SBP is also in the hunt for the best 3-on-3 squads in the Cadets Category for boys 12-14 years old and for girls aged 12-16 years old.

“We are getting very positive response from players, teams and from some schools who have expressed interest in fielding in players for this new competition under the Fiba (International Basketball Federation) and IOC (International Olympic Committee) calendars,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala.

The Davao leg, for one, is sure to have a big turnout before we move on to nine other legs spread throughout the country through our partnership with SM,” Eala added.

The Davao listup is scheduled March 6-8, and March 13-15 before the initial SBP33 tournament is held from March 20-22, also at the SM Davao. The event is sponsored by SM, Burger King, Molten and Smart.

Action shifts to SM Cagayan de Oro for the second leg of the SBP33 tour March 27-29 while other legs are scheduled in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Lucena, Sta. Rosa, Pampanga, Baguio and in Fairview.

Champion teams from these legs will slug it out in the National Championships set June 12-14 at the SM Mall of Asia.