HIGH stakes and intense plays are expected in the inaugural Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PU3L) leg as it tips off on Aug. 23 and 24 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Twenty-four squads will see action as the halfcourt craze hits the country anew in this Fiba Lite quest.
Local crews Uncle Drew, Half Court Group, and Taho Story banner the 12-team cast in the men’s division, with the champion earning a spot in the Kaohsiung Challenger in October and the top Philippine club clinching a spot in the Manila Challenger in September.
International flavor
Gilas Pilipinas U23 and Uratex Dream spearhead the women’s teams together with fellow local teams Pilipinas Aguilas and Uncle Drew as they collide with eight other top international teams.
The victor of the men’s division will take home the US$5,000 cash prize and the runner-up US$2,500, while the winner of the women’s division will bag US$3,000 and the runner-up US$1,500.
“We’re pumped to once again hold world-class 3x3 events here in our country. We believe it’s another chance to prove that us Filipinos can compete in the world stage and Pilipinas United 3x3 League is here to provide that platform,” said PU3L tournament director Eric Altamirano, who is supervising the tournament together with league co-founder Andrew Combate.
The Pilipinas United 3x3 League is supported by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Smart Sports as broadcast partner, Molten as the official game ball, Ayala Malls Manila Bay as venue partner, Seda Hotel Manila Bay as hotel partner, and has Buffalo Wings N’ Things, D’Generals, and Solar Sports as sponsors.
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