50 teams vie for glory in SLA Jr. World Showcase

Sports

A TOTAL of 50 teams will see action in the Sinag Liga Asya (SLA) Junior World Showcase Season 3.0, which will be held across several venues in Cebu City from July 1 to 5.

Teams from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States, Canada, Australia, and various parts of the Philippines will battle it out in five age-group divisions.

Teams from Manila, Davao, Cebu, Ormoc, and Panaon will join their international counterparts in what is considered to be one of the biggest grassroots basketball showcases in the country.

Games will be played at four venues: New Cebu Coliseum; Cebu City Sports Institute-Sawang Calero; Magnum Sports Complex; and University of San Carlos Downtown Campus Gymnasium

"It's going to be a competitive tournament. These grassroots teams are coming not just to play, but to compete," said SLA Chairman Rocky Chan.

With less than a week remaining before tip-off, Chan emphasized that the participating teams have spent months preparing for the prestigious event.

"These squads are determined and have prepared rigorously for a tough competition. Every win counts, and they are not coming across the globe just to be beaten by the Philippine teams," he added.

Despite the strong international field, Chan believes the local teams will be equally motivated to defend home court.

"The local teams take pride in representing their country in this competition. We have teams coming from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and they are ready for the challenge. But it's going to be tough," he said.

Chan also encouraged basketball fans to witness the action firsthand.

"Expect exciting and physical games from both local and international teams. Admission is free, so we invite everyone to come and enjoy an exciting week of basketball," he said.

The tournament will feature the following divisions:

13-Under (born 2013)

15-Under (born 2011)

17-Under (born 2009)

19-Under (born 2007)

23-Under (born 2003)

Competing in the 13-Under are DSA-UAE

Roces Basketball-UAE, God's Gift Mountain Resort-Davao, Tumakbo United-USA, JR Boomers-PHL, New York-USA, Mighty David-UAE, Microsmith-PHL, and Papa G. Basketball-Davao.

Seeing action in the 15-Under are Young Vikings-UAE, Tumakbo United, New York United, Homecourt-UAE, Clifton Tigers-USA, Blue Steele Basketball-PHL, Last Shot Dubai, Tumakbo SoCal-USA, Las Vegas-USA, Fil-QLD-Australia, Gilas Montreal-Canada, and Ympact Ballers-PHL.

The 17-Under competition will have Roces Basketball-UAE, Familia DC-USA, Cebu City Tigers-PHL, Gilas Montreal, Sunsport-San Roque, Tropang Australia,

Last Shot Dubai, New York BSA, Homecourt Karis Sports-PHL, Young Vikings, and Tumakbo United.

The 19-Under division will pit J Project Boomers-PHL, Las Vegas International, Tumakbo SoCal, Last Shot Dubai, Ympact Ballers, Shine Loreto, Familia DC, Mighty David, Tumakbo United, Phenom Parola-Panaon-PHL, and New Jersey Husay.

Battling in the 23-Under division are New York Ascend, WLC Mustangs-Ormoc, Alpha 7-PHL, Phenom-PHL, Familia DC, and University of Cebu.(CCM)