GAB issues licenses to first pro three-point shooters
IN a groundbreaking event for local basketball yesterday, the first professional three-point shooters were given licenses by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) as part of the agency’s continued thrust to safeguard professional sports in the country.
Benjie Zamora, 39, and Jan Carlos Cifra, 25, were issued professional licenses and presented to members of media in an official ceremony held at the GAB office in Makati City.
GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil B. Mitra also signed yesterday the resolution allowing the professionalization of three-point shootout competition in the Philippines, which is the first in Asia.
With the pioneering move, the agency not only legitimizes three-point contests as one of its duly recognized professional sports in the country but also ensured protection of sport’s athletes and its organizers.
“This is a step in the right direction. This is an event that anybody can join. People from different walks of life. So we encourage them to join events like the Kings of Threes,” said Mr. Mitra at the sidelines of the granting of licenses, referring to the tournament whose organizers initiated talks with the GAB of professionalizing three-point shooters.
“Where the public interest is at stake, GAB should be there. It gives leagues legitimacy and credibility. But, more importantly, it protects the athletes and organizers as well, be it legal or even medical,” he added.
GAB was quick to say though that the guidelines for the licensing of threepoint shooters are still being fine-tuned in coordination with stakeholders.
“I’m very happy to be given this license by GAB. I have been doing this for sometime now, doing the rounds of tournaments, so I think it’s about time we have this,” said Mr. Peralta, who resides in Caloocan and works as a tricycle driver, in the vernacular in an interview with BusinessWorld.
Both Messrs. Peralta and Cifra competed at the ongoing Kings of Threes tournament where they wound up as the top shooters.
Kings of Threes is a year- round tournament organized by Subic Bay Development & Industrial Estate Corp. (SUDECO).
It happens at the Buendia Food by the Court and Taft Food by the Court.
“As basketball enthusiasts we see that three-point shooting is the future of basketball. We hope through Kings of Threes and the professional licensing we give added dimension to the basketball scene here,” said Paul A. Elauria, president of SUDECO, at the license granting.