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| One of the players goes for a slam dunk. |
The boys came from all over Johor Baru and nearby districts to compete in the yearly event, which have always been full of action, thrills, and spills from participating teams.
This year, a total of 150 teams participated in four categories such as the under-13 boys, under-15 boys, under-18 boys, and under-21 boys held at Sutera Mall here on June 28.
Besides the 3x3 competition, the crowd favourite is the “In Search of Streetballer” competition, where individuals able to demonstrate their freestyle skills in front of current AND1 streetballers and event sponsors.
The top three of the streetballer competition would qualify for the grand finals to be held in Kuala Lumpur later this year.
Among them was 15-year-old Chow Yee How, from SMK Skudai, who thanked his elder brother for helping him be ready for the competition.
“When I was younger, he always invited me to play with him and his friends who were much bigger and faster than me.
“Over the years, my skills have become better and sharper which helps me to become a better player than when I first started all those years ago,” he said.
Chow added that he was surprised to be selected as on of the top three streetballers in the state as the competition was fierce and this is the first time he has taken part in it.
”There were a lot of good individuals in the competition but I guess all the hard work weeks before the competition paid off as I will be going to the grand finals to go against other freestylists from all over the country.
Meanwhile, it was a tense affair in the finals of the under-18 boys category when Taman Daya ELALB emerged champions after beating Skudai B team with a difference of just one point.
The win not only help Taman Daya ELALB to go to the grand finals, which is expected to be held later in November, but also collect RM900 in prize money.
Candidates heading into the grand finals will need to prepare themselves as the competition will only be stiffer when the best from other regions arrive in KL.
The next leg is set to take place in Penang, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur to follow suit later on.
The AND1 Streetball Challenge is an event sanctioned by the Malaysian Basketball Association.
StarMetro is the official media, Milo the official beverage sponsor, One FM the official radio and Spalding the official ball.
For details on the latest news regarding the competition, rules and regulations as well as to download registration forms, visit www.and1malaysia.blogspot.com or call the hotline number at 03-8961 8299.
