Chooks-to-Go launches 3×3 preseason tournament

FILE: “The Pasig Grindhouse Kings sent a clear message to the rest of the playing field after ruling the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Preseason tournament on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.” (Photo: Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas/Facebook)

The 12 teams were all present, namely the Bacoor Strikers, Bataan Risers, Bulacan Kuyas, Cebu-Max 4 Birada, Manila Stars, Marikina Shoemasters, Pasig Grindhouse Kings, Quezon City-Zark’s Jawbreakers, San Juan-Go for Gold, Valenzuela Classic, Vigan Baluarte Zoo, and Zamboanga Valientes.

The finals game was a face-off between the Pasig Grindhouse and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League’s (MPBL) San Juan Knights, the championship ending at 21-15 in favor of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) ex-pros-led team. Dylan Ababou was the highest pointer for the grindhouse at 10 points, while Knight Mac Cardona also contributed the same amount. Ababou’s teammates and fellow preseason champions included Asean Basketball League veteran Joshua Munzon, Thailand import Taylor Statham, and former National University (NU) Bulldog Troy Rike.

Prior to their finals victory, the Pasig Grindhouse also faced off the Bataan Risers, who were represented by young University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) athletes Alvin Pasaol, Sean Manganti, Anton Asistio, and Santi Santillan.

Before the official start of the preseason tournament, league owner Ronald Mascariñas “thank[ed] the team owners for [their] trust and support for the league,” stating, “Our objective is to exude love for our country and our countrymen and to promote nationalism through sports and we will be using this league to deliver the message.”

During that same press conference, TV5 President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vincent “Chot” Reyes confirmed that all games will be shown on ESPN5, stating, “We’ve had a long-standing partnership with Chooks to Go that started three years ago with Gilas Pilipinas and even with the Batang Gilas program and we’re happy to continue working together to give our basketball players the biggest stage possible to showcase their talents.”

The Chooks-to-Go 3×3 tournament officially begins on February 16 at SM Megamall. The winning team will receive a total prize of one million pesos and will be representing the country in the upcoming FIBA 3×3 World Tour.