CEBU, Philippines — Two Cebuano teams will carry the pride of the Queen City of the South as the maiden season of Cebu Hustle 3×3 tips off this weekend at the Mountain Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu.
Home Teams Ready to Defend Cebu’s Honor
Playing before their home fans, Move Liloan and UP Cebu hope to deliver the goods and make their townmates proud in the inaugural staging of the Philippine women’s 3×3 international invitational, which draws 12 teams composed of six local squads and six foreign teams.
“This is the biggest women’s 3×3 league we’ve seen here in Cebu, so of course we want to be competitive,” said Kath Jumapao, who will team up with Kristel Pitogo, Sharlene Owatan, and Shai Demape for Move Liloan. The squad is slotted in Pool A alongside TOL Patriots and Shinjuku Givers of Japan.
UP Cebu coach Sai Bacalso will guide a youthful crew of Althea Degamo, Jessha Banquil, Lourien Navarro, and Maxim Magbanua as they brace for a tough Pool D against Gilas Pilipinas Women 3×3 U23 and EST Jersey of Malaysia.
A Wake-Up Call for Women’s Basketball in Cebu
For Bacalso, this event should serve as a “wake-up call” for Cebu City to revitalize the women’s basketball community not just in the city but across the entire province.
“It’s about time for Cebu City basketball, for the women, that we have this. We have to come out and show that pride,” Bacalso said, emphasizing the importance of homegrown talent getting opportunities on a big stage.
Tournament Format and Prizes
Pool B features Uratex Dream, Maurice Lacroix of Japan, and CT Tigers of Thailand, while Pool C has Pilipinas Aguilas, Thailand’s Shoot It Dragons, and Singapore’s Jumpshot. The champion of this FIBA Level 4 tournament will take home $3,000 in cash, with second and third placers pocketing $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.
Games begin at 12 noon on Saturday, June 20, with pool play distributing the teams into four groups of three before the knockout matches on Sunday, June 21.
“We thank Cebu for embracing our tournament. Ever since we started conceptualizing this event, we’ve had nothing but support from Cebu and it humbles us so much,” said tournament director Peachy Cheng-Medina. “Cebu is a basketball-crazy city so it’s just the right time for us to present women’s 3×3 basketball here.”
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