The search for ranking points that will qualify a team to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics begins today at the start of the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3-2019 President’s Cup.
Twelve pioneering teams, which have already been pooled into groups of three, will see action starting at 11 a.m. at the SM Megamall Events Center in Mandaluyong City.
“There’s only one intention for us to start this league. There’s a small window for us to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and that’s through ranking points,” said league owner Ronald Mascariñas.
The San Juan-Go for Gold Knights, which head Pool A, will clash with the Valenzuela Classics in the 11 a.m. opening game.
The Grindhouse Kings of Pasig take on the Marikina Shoemakers, while the Pasig Voyagers will meet the Cebu-Max4 Birada cagers.
Philippine Basketball Association veterans Mac Cardona, John Wilson, and Larry Rodriguez will lead the Knights’ campaign and they will be reinforced by Larry Muyang, Mike Ayonayon, and Cedric Pelayo.
The Zamboanga Valientes are also in Group A, while the Pasig-Grindhouse Kings are grouped together with the Bulacan Kuyas and the Marikina Shomasters in Group B.
On the other hand, the Pasay Voyagers, the Cebu-Max4 Birada, and the Vigan Wolves are bunched in Group C. Pool D, considered a tough bracket, will have the 1Bataan Risers, the Bacoor Strikers, and Quezon City-Zark’s Jawbreakers.
FIBA officials David Crocker and Fei Gao will grace the opening rites with ESPN5 President Chot Reyes, Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin, league commissioner Eric Altamirano, and Mascariñas.
The winner of the first leg will take home P100,000.