SHOWING their never-say-die spirit, seven teams from North Luzon, Greater Manila Area and Visayas have already booked their tickets to the National Finals of the 2017 Ginebra San Miguel 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
Team Slaughter, composed of Reynald Ballesteros, Robert Caasi, Mario Torio, and Dennis Cuaresma, pipped Team Taha in Brgy. Caranglaan, Dagupan City to reign supreme in the Pangasinan regionals.
Team Cruz, comprised of Derick Villafuerte, Jomar Timple, Robert Sinnott, and Renzo Dalupang, beat Team Marcelo in Brgy. Cabaruan, Cauayan City to top the Isabela regionals.
Carrying Team Ellis, the squad of Angel de Leon, Kenneth Gomez, Mark Reyes, and Renato Liangco outlasted Team Tenorio in the Pampanga Finals in Brgy. Bulaon, San Fernando.
Antipolo, meanwhile, belonged to Team Jaworski, bannered by Christopher Ryan Hosseimi, James Patrick Abugan, Jomar Santos, and Marvin Mercado, as it topped Team Helterbrand in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Antipolo City.
Team Mariano, composed of Dion Reverente, Ivan Moreno, Mark David Orias, and Mark Santos, bested Team Ferrer to top the regional finals in Brgy. CAA, Las Piñas City.
Tondo was for Team Slaughter, as the squad of Eduard Tubera, Arbel Villanueva, Kleirence Perez, and Richmond Gana clipped Team Mariano at Tondo Sports Complex.
Finally, Team Thompson, comprised of Matt Aaron Guzman, Johanis Marlu Sison, John Nino Melgar, and Leonel Tabornal, downed Team Cone at Teodisio Sports & Cultural Complex in Banga, Aklan.
Nine more regional tournaments will be held nationwide to determine the 16 teams that will compete in the National Finals, to be held on Aug. 19.
The last four teams standing in the knockout phase will move on to the semifinals and the championship game on Aug. 20, to be played at halftime of a Ginebra game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the 2017 Ginebra San Miguel 3-on-3 National Champion bringing home the P50,000 cash prize, a trophy, and Ginebra San Miguel products.
For more updates, check Ginebra San Miguel’s Facebook page or log on to ginebrasanmiguel.com.