START ‘em young.
This was the mindset of Ballout Hoops Challenge founder Cris Bautista as he is organizing the third edition of the basketball tournament set to commence action on Sunday, September 1, at the Blue Eagle Gym at the Ateneo de Manila University campus along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City that features 10-year-old (or younger) kids from the various schools private and public from Metro Manila and the National Capital Region.
“I want the kids, no matter what their skill levels are, to be able to test their basketball mettle among their peers and gain experience on how the games are being played in actual competitions,” said Bautista, who currently is the head of the basketball program at Quezon City-based Jubilee Christian Academy, one of the eight member schools of the prestigious multi-sport league Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA).
“My own kids started playing basketball at an early age to enhance their physical well-being as well as keep them off a bit from video games on their cellphones that could be harmful to their health, if not their eyes.”
Added Bautista: “A festive mood it will be as the game results of the games won’t matter as much as the opportunity for the family to bond during the games.”
Bautista knows whereof he speaks, he being a keen observer from the sidelines as veteran bench tactician and a former tournament commissioner and director for Adidas and Under Armour events in the past.
Bautista concurrently is the assistant head coach of General Trias, Cavite squad in the Community Basketball Association (CBA) and has had previous mentoring experience at the school varsity level with the Ateneo de Manila University women’s team (2016-19), La Salle Greenhills Juniors (2011-16), Our Lady of Perpetual Succor College Juniors (2014-15).
According to Bautista, the participants in the 3rd Ballout Hoops Challenge will be divided into four divisions, namely East, West, North and South. The topnotcher in each of the four divisions will then play in a single-round tournament with the winner securing the bragging rights to the title “Ballout Hoops Challenge champion.”
Lending a helping hand to this grassroots basketball program is Lewis Alfred Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra in the professional league Philippine Basketball Association.
Tenorio, the 3rd Ballout Hoops Challenge overall commissioner, himself is a product of grassroots basketball, having started playing ball at a tender age before eventually schooling at San Beda University as a high schooler and Ateneo de Manila University in college before embarking on a distinguished pro career that has lasted for 13 seasons thus far.
“He’ll be an excellent role model and an inspiration to the kids,” said Bautista of Tenorio, a close friend of his.
So far, the schools that have confirmed their participation include the following: Marist School (Marikina), Taytay Elementary School (Rizal), La Salle Antipolo (Rizal), Mambugan Elementary School (Antipolo), OLOPSC (Marikina), Barangka Elementary School (Marikina – public), San Benildo College (Antipolo), Rich Golden (Antipolo), Faith Christian Academy (Cainta), Jubilee Christian Academy, San Sebastian College, Pace Academy, Grace Christian College, Saint Jude College, Xavier School, Saint Anthony (QC), Saint Catherine College (Novaliches), Claret School, Multiple Intelligence, Young Achievers (Caloocan), Sacred Heart (Novaliches), La Salle Greenhills, De La Salle Zobel and Ateneo.
Tournament slots are still available. If interested, kindly contact coach Bautista at 0917-648-0803 or 0928-144-6972.
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