By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Sports organization Players’ Center held another successful 3×3 basketball tournament on November 9, 2024, at the Sibunag hoops gym in the Province of Guimaras.
Spearheaded by its founder, one of the most passionate sports patrons in Guimaras, Dr. Richard Gabayoyo, Players’ Center once again gave a huge treat and excitement to hundreds of young Guimarasnon aspiring ballers.
There were 23 teams listed for participation, which was divided into two categories: the 15-under and the 18-under divisions.
13 teams duked it out in the 15-U while the 18-U category had a total of 10 teams, with all participants coming from different barangays and municipalities in Guimaras.
Picking up where they left off during the past legs is the mighty Team Archegos which once again bagged the 15-U championship title.
However, the road to the golden trophy wasn’t a walk in the park as the first runner-ups, team Generals, gave them a good fight until the last buzzer sounded.
Meanwhile, in the 18-U category, Team Alegrians flirted with their unmatched chemistry to take down team Double P in the grand finals.
Aside from holding a 3×3 hoops tourney, the Players’ Center also conducted a series of free sports clinics and on-court evaluations that benefited hundreds of athletes.
According to Dr. Gabayoyo, the Players’ Center gave a discussion involving player behavior on-court and addressed the future officials from Guimaras with some tips for controlling fairness in the game.
“Ang sports education program for players and coaches ginarequire na namon as part of our advocacy and initiative to strengthen the values formation through sports,” said Dr. Gabayoyo in an exclusive interview with the Daily Guardian.
As of now, Dr. Gabayoyo and Players’ Center are set to resume their series of seminars in the last two remaining months of 2024.
The event is also brought by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Guimaras officials, Barangay Captain Arlyn Galon, SK Chairman Jen Balidiong, and all the Barangay and SK Officials of San Isidro Sibunag Gym, Sibunag, Guimaras.
