FIBA 3x3 News: Basketball Hotbed In Philippines To Host Leg For First Time

KEY POINTS

FIBA 3x3 announced its partnership with a Philippine roasted chicken outlet to help promote the sport in the Asian region
Filipinos have gravitated to the 3x3 format because of its high-octane pace
The Philippines is gunning for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics' FIBA 3x3 event

Despite trudging through a global pandemic, the Philippine basketball scene is set to receive a massive boost from a local sponsor that has been helping out its athletes for a few years now.

Chooks-to-Go, a local chain of outlets that sell roasted chicken, has signed a five-year deal with FIBA 3x3 to be its global partner.

The announcement was made at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria in Quezon City, Philippines on Monday, March 21, with both Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas and FIBA 3x3 head for events and partnerships Ignacio Soriano in attendance.

"We are truly honored to be given the privilege to be the global partner of FIBA 3x3. We will be their partner in their global activities, especially in Southeast Asia," Mascariñas proudly declared.

FIBA 3x3, Chooks-to-Go — Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas (left) and FIBA 3x3 Head of Events and Partnerships Ignacio Soriano (right) hold up the papers they had signed to formalize the agreement. Chooks-to-Go

The Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, the country’s only professional 3x3 basketball league, will be the ones responsible for organizing FIBA 3x3 events in the country, including the island nation’s representatives in international events.

The schedule for FIBA 3x3 basketball in the remaining months of 2022 is as follows:

Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Southeast Asia Super Quest (April 30 to May 1)
Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Manila World Tour Masters (May 28 to 29)
Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Cebu World Tour Masters (October 1 to 2)

"Since the very beginning, Chooks-to-Go was considered as very close friends. Now with the global partnership, you are considered as a brother. We are extremely excited about this partnership. It's not only about the events but also about the development of 3x3 basketball in the whole region and not just the Philippines,” said Soriano.

3x3 basketball has become a big deal in the basketball-crazed nation because of how fast-paced the game is and the excitement that comes along with it.

Soriano emphasized the need for the Philippine delegation to start getting more points in their bid for an appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics’ FIBA 3x3 basketball competition.

“I'm very excited to start a new project with Chooks-to-Go and Boss Ronald [Mascariñas]. We are here to prepare because we have a long season ahead including two World Tour Masters events here. Things need to start to get rolling and things need to go really fast," added Soriano.

Though FIBA is yet to announce the criteria regarding how countries will be able to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the official website has stated that it will be similar to that of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics “with a few minor tweaks”.