SBP 3X3 Regional Finals kicks off today

CEBU, Philippines - The SBP 3X3 Under 17 Pambansang Tatluhan Regional Finals takes place today at the Sisters of Mary Boystown School in Minglanilla.

Some 32 boys teams and 16 girls teams will battle for regional supremacy as Central Visayas champion and a trip to the national finals in May.

Leading the pack are the Cebu Ballers squad which come back to defend its crown although it will be tougher this time around with the presence of the traditional powerhouses of age group basketball.

 Expected to crowd them are Batang Pinoy 2016 national champions UV 1, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo 1 and Don Bosco A. In the girls category, heavily favored is defending champion Abellana National School which has dominated the girls basketball scene for the past decade. Carmen 1 and hometown team Minglanilla 1 will be there to challenge the Abellana girls.

Also joining the regional finals are two teams from Bohol, two teams from Danao, and one team each from Minglanilla and Toledo; areas which have been beefing up its grassroots program for 3X3 basketball.

The FIBA 3X3 rules of the game will be used such as the ten-minute game, a point for a field goal and two points for a basket beyond the arc. Four players make up a team with the fourth player coming off the bench. Teams don’t have coaches and can call time outs from the bench.

There is no limit on personal fouls but picking up a tenth team foul will mean two free throws plus ball possession. A team is in the penalty situation when it picks up a sixth personal foul. The 3X3 game is one of the fastest growing basketball movements worldwide but the Philippines hasn’t been able to keep up with the rest of the world. (FREEMAN)