ALL eyes will be at the Queen City of the South this weekend, as Cebu Hustle 3x3 stages its inaugural season at SM Seaside City.
It's the inaugural staging of the Philippine women's 3x3 international invitational with the event drawing 12 teams composed of six local squads and six foreign teams.
"We thank Cebu for embracing our tournament. Ever since we started conceptualizing this event, we've had nothing but support from Cebu and it humbles us so much," said tournament director Peachy Cheng-Medina. "Cebu is a basketball-crazy city, so it's just the right time for us to present women's 3x3 basketball here in Cebu."
Pressure is on the two Cebuano teams in Move Liloan and UP Cebu to deliver the goods as they hope to make their compatriots proud in this event which has Uratex, Smart, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as presenters.
Kath Jumapao leads Move Liloan together with Kristel Pitogo, Lyssa Lubiano, and Sharlene Owatan, while UP Cebu parades an upstart crew of Althea Degamo, Maxim Magbanua, Jessha Banquil, and Lourien Navarro.
"We finally have an international level 3x3 competition coming to town and I'm very excited as a Cebuano fan to see how our top talents compete against I can say the best teams in the region," said SBP Zone 8 director Popoy Navarro.
"This event is more than just a competition. It is a celebration of the talent, determination, and passion of our women athletes," added Dr. Rhoel Dejano, Cebu Provincial Sports Commission chairman.
Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 3x3, made up of Louna Ozar, Amyah Espanol, Jam Meniano, and Victoria Pasilang, are also pressured to carry the flag together with top local teams Uratex Dream led by Kaye Pingol and Angel Surada; Pilipinas Aguilas of Beth Means and Camille Clarin; and TOL Patriots of Kent Pastrana and reinforcements Maddie Burke and Arly Zapata in this tilt which has SM Seaside City, Citadines Cebu City, Aboitiz Foods, Titan, Maxime, Pocari Sweat, SBP Zone 8, University of Cebu, and UC Medical Center as partners.
Japanese teams Maurice Lacroix and Shinjuku Givers 3x3 spearhead the foreign squads together with Thailand's Shoot It Dragons and CT Tigers, Malaysia's EST Jersey, and Singapore's Jumpshot in this event which also has Nustar Resort Cebu, Molten, Seiko, IPO Philippines, Shakey's, and Virgina Foods as sponsors.
Games begin at 12 p.m. this Saturday, with pool play distributing the teams into four groups of three before the knockout games on Sunday.
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