Chooks 3x3 bubble gets green light from IATF

Joshua Munzon is expecting a tough job in the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup as part of his buildup for the FIBA 3x3 OQT. Chooks-To-Go (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—After a slight delay, the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup is finally happening.

The Inter-Agency Task Force gave the Philippines' first professional 3x3 league the go signal in the form of a provisional license to push through with its "bubble".

"We are grateful for the Inter-Agency Task Force composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Department of Health, and Philippine Sports Commission for giving us the clearance to hold our bubble," league owner Ronald Mascariñas said on Monday.

Mascariñas, league commissioner Eric Altamirano, and the rest of the Chooks 3x3 team initially planned a "semi-bubble" for the first conference of the 2020 season.

The IATF, however, turned down the proposal, prompting the league to implement the full bubble.

This also led to a change in schedule.

Initially due for an Oct. 2 start, the President's Cup will now commence on Oct. 21.

A preseason event will first take place on Oct. 19.

The teams will enter the bubble, which will take place at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, from Oct. 14-15.

The players will first undergo a home quarantine for six days before going to the said city.

Before the home quarantine, the players will be subject to swab testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, right before their last set of practices at the Epsilon Chi Center in Quezon City.

Those tested negative of COVID-19 can do their practices at Inspire from Oct. 16-18.

Three more legs will happen on Oct. 23, 25, and 27 with the finals scheduled on Oct. 30.

Everyone will leave the bubble on Oct. 31 and will undergo a 14-day quarantine once back home.

The President's Cup serves as part of Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol's gear-up for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year in Austria.

Munzon and Pasaol are part of Zamboanga City-Family's Brand Sardines along with Troy Rike and Santi Santillan.

"We are doing this to help our national team stay competitive before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year. They will later on give glory to this country," Mascariñas further said.

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