CEBU will be hosting the Jump10 Philippine Selection Tournament on July 19 to 20, 2019 at the Capitol Parish Gym in Cebu City with 12 teams clashing for the right to represent the country in an international stage.
The 5-on-5 street basketball tournament organized by the APX Sports is a qualifying event for the World Hoops Challenge in Shanghai, China in August. The champion team will bag a slot to China and the P100,000 cash prize.
“We have to collect the best talents that we have to be able to send a competitive team in China. Last year, I think the Philippines was close to last place. The goal for us this time is to at least improve our finish in the World Hoops Challenge,” said Jump10 Philippine Selection Tournament commissioner Gene Noel Gallarde on Friday’s press conference.
Tournament consultant and incoming Cebu City councilor Dondon Hontiveros said an event like this promotes the city’s sports tourism.
“One of the reasons why I ran for public office was because of sports. I want to promote Cebu through sports. We will be aggressive in supporting sporting events like this one,” said the legendary Cebuano cager Hontiveros.
“This is our first tournament and we start with an event with such a magnitude,” said APX Sports executive producer Patrick Maluya. “The aim of our group is to promote the local sporting scene and elevate the playing experience of every athlete.”
Jump10 is a street basketball tournament that uses different rules from the normal 5-on-5 game. A team will have only seven to eight players and a game is composed of two 12-minute halves.
“We have invited teams already. They’re from Cebu, Manila and also teams from Mindanao. This is a nationwide competition, everyone can join and it’s open to all players. About five teams are from Cebu,” said Gallarde. We want to bring back the streetball here.”
The champion team will compete in the Jump10 World Hoops Challenge. The winner of the World Hoops Challenge will pocket the $100,000 cash prize. (RSC)