IATF approves Chooks 3×3 ‘Calambubble’ for first pro season

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has given Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 a provisional license to hold its first season, the President’s Cup, from October 16 to 31, inside a bubble setup at Inspire Academy in Calamba, Laguna.

“All of us are excited to get the ball rolling for our season,” said league owner Ronald Mascariñas on Monday, October 5, after getting the go signal from the government agency composed of the Games and Amusements Board, Department of Health, and Philippine Sports Commission.

Before entering the league bubble, all 12 teams will undergo RT-PCR testing and conduct their final practice at UP Epsilon Chi Center in Quezon City from October 5 to 7. 

From October 8 to 13, all league players and staff will be under pre-bubble home quarantine and go through another series of swab testing before entering Inspire Academy from October 14 to 15.

Teams will begin practice from October 16 to 18.

A preseason tournament will be held on October 19 before the league begins its first leg on October 21.

Three more legs will be played afterwards on October 23, 25, and 27. The grand finals, which has a P1 million top prize at stake, takes place on October 30.

Everyone in the bubble will leave the venue on October 31 and undergo a 14-day home quarantine.

Teams competing in the FIBA 3×3-endorsed tournament are Zamboanga Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Bacolod-Masters Sardines, Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, Palayan City Capitals, Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, Porac Big Boss Cement MSC, Bicol 3×3 Pro, Pasig Sta Lucia Realtors, Sarangani Marlins, Pagadian City Rocky Sports, and Petra Cement.

Zamboanga is composed of top-ranked national team pool players Joshua Munzon, Alvin Pasaol, 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,” said Mascarinas. – Rappler.com