SBP, Passerelle tournaments slated

MANILA, Philippines – The Milo-sponsored SBP (Small Basketeers Philippines)-Passerelle tournaments begin July 19 at the Xavier School Sports Complex in Green Hills, San Juan.

Now on its 24th year, the tournament is open to teams from both private and public schools. The tournament is noted for applying the 5/5/5 format, also known as the Jorge Format named after BEST founder Nic Jorge.

Under the system, a team is required to use five different players in each of the first three quarters. However, any of the players may be fielded in the fourth quarter. The system is now being adopted in most other youth events.

Last year, La Salle Green Hills topped the Passerelle division while the Ateneo Blue Eaglets lorded over the SBP division. Both teams defended their titles against a field of more than 40 teams in the tournament, widely-acknowledged as the country’s premier sporting event for young basketball players.

Through the years, it has produced outstanding graduates like Paolo Mendoza, Joseph Yeo, TY Tang, Magnum Membrere, JV Casio and James Yap

The Milo-sponsored SBP-Passerelle tournament are in line with the commitment of Milo to build champions not just in sports but most importantly in life.