Inagural corporate 3-on-3 Feb. 24 and 25

ALBANY, N.Y. » Capital Region businesses are set to display their hoops prowess during the opening rounds of the inaugural I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge at the Capital District YMCA in Albany, NY, on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.

The inaugural tournament celebrates the return of the 2018 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference ( MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to downtown Albany. The tournament- style competition will feature 14 local companies who will be competing for the opportunity to take center court during the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Times Union Center.

The following businesses and organizations will be squaring-off during the I LOVE NEW YORK 3- on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge: AYCO; Berkshire Bank; The Bonadio Group; CAP COM Federal Credit Union; Capital District YMCA; CDTA; City Rocks; Hannaford Supermarkets; Mazzone Hospitality; Na-

tional Grid; Northwestern Mutual; Pioneer Bank; and the Times Union Center.

The tournament games will each be contested over a 20-minute period and will be decided by the first team to score 21 points or is in the lead at the end of regulation time.

The tournament is supported by I LOVE NEW YORK and is being run and administered by the Capital District YMCA.

New York State Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “We are proud to partner with the MAAC for the I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge to increase awareness of all there is to see and do in the Capital-Saratoga Region and throughout New York State. Tournaments like these encourage visitors to plan a trip and experience firsthand why we like to say, ‘It’s all here, and it’s only here in New York State.’”

The opening round will feature 14 teams competing in round-robin elimination play on Saturday, February 24 from 2 to 7 p.m. The final eight teams with the best record will then square- off in single elimination play on Sunday, February 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. Both opening rounds will be held at the Capital District YMCA, located at 616 N. Pearl St., Albany, NY. For a complete tournament schedule for the opening rounds, visit www.albanyfanfest.com/ilove-new-york- 3- on- 3- corporate- challenge.

“The MAAC tournament has been a terrific event in downtown Albany and now we are expanding that excitement for the fans and businesses in the Capital Region,” said David Brown, president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA. “The I LOVE NEW YORK 3- on- 3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge is an opportunity for Capital Region businesses to compete for their own version of March glory. The Capital District YMCA is honored to administer this tournament as a showcase for how we help adults, families and children enjoy physical activities and sports all year long.”

The four semi-finalists will go head-to-head during the annual Hannaford MAAC-n- Cheese Fest on Friday, March 2 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Capital Center. The final four teams will each receive a special championship trophy during the event.

The I LOVE NEW YORK 3- on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge championship game will be held at the Times Union Center during the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.

“The I LOVENEWYORK 3- on- 3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge is an outstanding way for neighborhood businesses and basketball fans to experience the excitement of the MAAC tournament,” said Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber. “The Times Union Center has become the premier destination to showcase this outstanding display of college athleticism and we are honored to host the final two teams as they take center court at the biggest entertainment venue in the Capital Region.”

The I LOVE NEWYORK 3- on- 3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge will add another element of excitement to the popular basketball championships, featuring Canisius, Fairfield, Iona, Manhattan, Marist, Monmouth, Niagara, Quinnipiac, Rider, Saint Peter’s, and Siena College, which will take place March 1 through 5 at the Times Union Center.

“The MAAC is excited to see Capital Region businesses go head- to- head during the first ever

I LOVE NEW YORK 3- on- 3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge and to host the championship game during the MAAC Basketball Championships at the Times Union Center,” said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “The MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships always bring a lot of excitement to downtown Albany and we are thrilled to host the final two teams during championship play.”

Individual session passes to the 2018 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships are now on sale. Individual session passes grant pass holders access to one of 10 designated sessions during the championships. The men’s and women’s championship games are each sold as an individual session.

Individual session passes, f lex ticket packages and all-session passes are available at the Times Union Center box office, charge by phone at 1-800745- 3000 and online at www. timesunioncenteralbany.com.

Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC- n- Cheese Fest are on- sale now at www. albanyfanfest.com. Tickets are $8 and entitle guests to five samples of mac-n-cheese. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door (cash only).

For more information about the I LOVE NEW YORK 3- on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge or the Hannaford MAAC-n- Cheese Fest, visit www.albanyfanfest.com.