Bonus incentive added to Chooks 3x3 President's Cup pot

Zamboanga-Family's Brand Sardines is the top favorite to win the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup. Chooks-To-Go (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—In the first Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 season as a de jure pro league, the stakes have just got higher.

League owner Ronald Mascariñas announced on Sunday that an incentive will be given to the team that will make the final of a certain President's Cup leg.

In particular, the said team will get PHP100,000 if Zamboanga-Family's Brand Sardines, which has two members of the Gilas 3x3 team going to the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year in it, will also make the championship game.

Mascariñas said that the bonus pot will serve as a motivation for the teams to give Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol proper training ahead of the OQT.

"We also have to reward the teams that have taken the time and effort to face them. That is why we raised the stakes for our first conference," Mascariñas said.

If Zamboanga, which also has Troy Rike and Santi Santillan, fails to make the final, the old Top 3 prize pool, where the winner gets PHP100,000, PHP30,000 for the runner-up, and PHP20,000 for the bronze medalist, will be implemented.

Looking to give Zamboanga a run for its money are Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Bacolod-Masters Sardines, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Palayan City Capitals, Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, Porac Big Boss Cement Green Gorillas, Bicol 3x3 Pro, Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors, Saranggani Marlins, Pagadian City Rocky Sports Valientes, and a team backed by Petra Cement.

The President's Cup is scheduled for an Oct. 2 start at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, where all the teams converge through a bubble.

The other three legs will take place on Oct. 4, 16, and 18, while the grand finals will happen on Nov. 7, where PHP1 million awaits the conference champion.

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