PNP chief Acorda to host shootfest in Marikina

THE Chief PNP CUP 2023 shooting competition will commence on August 17 to August 20 at the Armscor Shooting Range in Marikina City.

The event will bring together 490 gun enthusiasts from the 55 units and offices of the PNP, showcasing their skills and camaraderie in the 4-day event.

Hosted by PNP Chief, Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the shootfest aims to foster unity and friendly competition among PNP personnel, while highlighting their dedication to marksmanship and precision.

Participants from various units and offices across the country will compete in different shooting categories to showcase their expertise and commitment in maintaining top-notch firearms skills.

The PNP Chief said the shooting competition underscores the PNP’s strong commitment to enhance firearm proficiency and promote discipline within the ranks.

Acorda’s leadership and unwavering dedication serves as an inspiration to all participants, encouraging them to excel in their shooting prowess and exhibit the highest standards of professionalism. Vince Lopez classes in public schools at all levels in Metro Manila and the Province of Bulacan are hereby suspended on August 25, 2023,” said the Memorandum Circular from Malacanang signed by Presidential Executive Secretary Luis Bersamin.

This move by Malacanang will give more chances for fans to fill the Philippine Arena, giving the SBP a big boost to surpass the standing 32,616 gate attendance record, set in 1994 in

Toronto, Canada, where a powerhouse US team, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller, routed Russia to win the championship.

FIBA World Cup 2023 deputy event director Erika Dy said 28,000 tickets have already been sold for the opening rites, which will have star-studded ceremonies and the first game of the Gilas Pilipinas opposite Dominican Republic.

SBP president Al Panlilio is so confident that he’s actually looking at breaching the 50,000 record achieved by the PBA earlier this year.

“Ang gusto ko ngang makita is if we can breach the 50,000-mark ng gate attendance sa PBA,” said Panlilio.

The Philippine Arena record was achieved when 54,589 fans attended the Game 7 final of the 2023 PBA Com- missioner’s Cup between local crowd favorite Ginebra and guest team Bay Area last January.

To lure more fans for the opening date of the biggest basketball showdown among the best in the world, the SBP has laid down exciting festivities, including performances by Sarah Geronimo and Ben & Ben.

There are also plans to invite national athletes to watch the games through the PSC, which after all, is serving as the conduit of the P1-billion financial support from the government.

There are more than a thousand athletes on the list of the PSC and providing the tickets for free is nothing more than just a small token of appreciation to the PSC’s billion-peso budget allotment for the tournament.

During his time with Gilas, Toroman gave the Philippines one of its best performances, as it landed fourth place in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship.

When he left, Toroman went to the Philippine Basketball Association, to handle teams like Petron and Barako Bull.

Strong Group Athletics’ owner and Blazers program booster Frank Lao welcomed Toroman’s presence.

“At Strong Group Athletics, our mission is clear, to uplift Philippine basketball to greater heights. With this goal in mind, we’re excited to have Serbian coach Rajko Toroman on board. His expertise will not only benefit our team but also the basketball community as a whole,” said Lao.

The Blazers are seeking to come out of a 22-year title drought after settling for a second-place finish in the senior basketball competition.