The Lakers pose with their coach Matt Duenas and Prospects Basketball Club co-founders Mike Mercado and John Apatang during the awards ceremony of the in-house 3×3 basketball tournament hosted by Prospects Basketball Club on Saturday at the Ada gym.
The Lakers’ Logan Daniel attempts a shot over a defender during the championship game of the in-house 3×3 basketball tournament hosted by Prospects Basketball Club on Saturday at the Ada gym.
THE Lakers emerged victorious in a nail-biting match against the Warriors, 9-7, to win an in-house 3×3 basketball championship on Saturday at the Ada gym.
The tournament was hosted by the newly formed Prospects Basketball Club.
The Lakers led the winner’s bracket on day 1, Friday, after defeating the Nuggets, the Hornets and the Heat.
In the title match on Saturday, the Lakers — Manai Won, Matthew Peters, Logan Daniel, and Bong Saralu — took on the Warriors’ Leon Duenas, Heman Addy, Joaltan Namauleg, and L.J. Dejillas.
Eleven-year-old Logan Daniel said winning the championship felt good. He said their strategy was to guard the best player and prevent second-chance buckets.
The top three teams received over $2,000 worth of swag bags and prizes from the team’s sponsors.
Prospects Basketball Club co-founders John Apatang and Mike Mercado created the 3×3 basketball tournament as “a way to teach the kids how to spread the ball unlike in 5-on-5 where they don’t know how to move properly.”
Apatang said in a 3×3 game, the players have to work together and create space for each other.
They can mentally grow by playing a series of games rather than just one long game, he said, adding, “It’s also a way to get them to love the game.”
Prospects Basketball Club would like to recognize the tournament sponsors: Bella Wings Aviation, Bridge Capital LLC., NMTech, NMC, Hagu Real, D&Q, FSM Recycling, Reps. Manny Castro and John Paul Sablan.
Grassroots
Prospects Basketball Club’s membership quickly grew which opened the opportunity for a 3×3 event.
Apatang and Mercado want to work on the next generation of basketball players.
“We need to build our grassroots — that’s where talent comes from,” Apatang said. “You only get stronger when you challenge the best and that’s what our kids want — they are hungry. They have that built-in desire to get better,” he added.
Mercado said basketball also helps children “off the court.” “It’s about disciplining our kids and grooming them to be better individuals for the community. It is also about being there for these kids and keeping them out of trouble,” he said.
