SBP 3X3 u15 kicks off tomorrow

The SBP 3X3 Under 15 Pambansang Tatluhan Central Visayas Finals kicks off tomorrow at the Sisters of Mary School Boystown in Minglanilla.

Some 40 boys and 12 girls teams battle it out for 3X3 supremacy and a ticket to the national finals where they clash against the regional champions from all over the country.

The University of the Visayas leads the pack of boys teams as it fields two squads. Out to crowd UV for the title are the Under 15 teams of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Don Bosco Technical College Cebu, University of San Carlos, Abellana National School, Bohol and other ballclubs.

The field is spread over eight groups of five teams each and will play a singleround robin classification phase. The top two teams of each group then qualify for the knock-out stage or playoffs which starts with a quarterfinal round, on to the semifinals and the finals.

The girls division is led by Abellana National School which is fielding the core of the team that won the Under 17 3X3 version last April. They expect tight competition from Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School, Mohon National High School and Minglanilla.

The champion of both divisions will win P10,000 cash, earn the bragging rights as Central Visayas champions and will play in the national finals October 27 to 28 in Manila where they clash against the other regional champions from all over the country.

The runner-up and third place teams win P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. All teams will get free reversible jerseys provided by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and TNT.

This SBP 3X3 Under 15 Pambansang Tatluhan is the second major 3X3 tournament for the age-group/grassroots segment for the year. The first was the Under 17 3X3 tournament last April which UV won. They placed second in the national finals. Central Visayas is looking to duplicate the feat in the Under 15 age group.