Cebu hosts Hustle 3x3 hoops

Sports

TOP Filipina dribblers will try to hold their ground against foreign teams when Cebu City hosts the Cebu Hustle 3x3 next month.

Marking the first time that the “Queen City of the South” will be hosting an international women's 3x3 invitational, the tournament will be held on June 20-21 at the SM Seaside City.

A total of 12 teams will compete in the two-day extravaganza, which will also serve as a celebration of women's basketball in the islands of the Visayas.

The local teams will feature Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 U23, Uratex Dream, Pilipinas Aguilas, TOL Patriots and Cebuano squads UP Cebu Fighting Maroons and MOVE Lilo-an.

Organizers said six foreign teams have also signed up for the tournament backed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

"Cebu Hustle 3x3 is such a breakthrough for women's basketball for Cebu. After recent failed attempts to put up a women's league, Cebu women's basketball finally gets an avenue to showcase their talents and see what the best looks like," said SBP Zone 8 director Popoy Navarro.

The champion of the maiden staging of Cebu Hustle 3x3 will take home USD 3,000, with the runner-up USD 2,000, and the third placer USD 1,000.

"The talent level of the tournament is a level that I’m very happy to see and I’m excited for our women and our fans to be exposed to what I believe is the best women’s 3x3 tournament in the country," Navarro added.(CCM)