WSSA reps to demonstrate

CEBU CITY (02 October 2009) — Representatives from the World Sports Stacking Association (WSSA) will demonstrate the techniques in sports stacking at Banilad Town Centre at 2PM tomorrow, Oct. 3.

Physical Education (PE) teachers from at least 13 schools and some of their students will watch the demonstrations that will launch the 1st BTC Speed Stacks Challenge.

A special presentation will also be made to the media, disclosed Francis Benedict Cutiongco, the tournament lead organizer.

As this developed, WSSA announced it will donate a free set of Speed Stacks to the first 10 schools that would officially and formally join the tournament.

Some 13 schools have already signified interest to join as of yesterday.

They include Bright Academy, Child Learning Foundation, Colegio dela Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC), CIC Mandaue, Don Bosco Technology Center, PAREF Southcrest School, PAREF Springdale School.

Philippine Christian Gospel School, Royal Oaks International School, Sacred Heart Hijas de Jesus, St. Francis of Assisi School, St. Theresa’s College, and Southwestern University.

Oct. 17

Cutiongco, also marketing manager of Toys@Work that distributes Speed Stacks cups and accessories, disclosed they have changed the process of the tournament.

“Having been recognized by WSSA, we will now follow the official procedures for inter-school events adopted up to the global championships,” he said.

Participating teams from various schools will now be grouped according to brackets at eight to 12 teams per bracket, he disclosed.

Each team in a bracket will face off with the rest of the teams in the same bracket, as eliminations are done in basketball, he added.

As organizers moved the opening games on Oct. 17, the final schedule will have yet to be plotted by the end of next week.

Despite the inter-school events, the BTC tournament will have an open category for college students, young professionals and family-based teams, it was learned.

World body recognizes BTC tournament

CEBU CITY (26 September 2009) — A sports stacking tournament slated to kick off at Banilad Town Centre (BTC) on Oct. 3 has been officially recognized by the World Sports Stacking Association (WSSA).

WSSA representatives will come to Cebu to witness the kick off, oversee the qualifying sessions and conduct a public demonstration at BTC, disclosed Francis Benedict Cutiongco, the tournament skipper.

As this developed, organizers are meeting the Physical Education (PE) coordinators of various schools in Cebu for a briefing and orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 3PM, at Phat Thursday sports resto-bar at BTC.

Being recognized by WSSA means the winners in the 1st BTC Speed Stacks Challenge will have the chance to play in the national eliminations and take a shot for the world championship in Denver, Colorado, USA.

It further means challenging Filipino-American Steven Purugganan who won back-to-back at the World Sport Stacking Championship in 2008 and 2009, even breaking three world records this year, noted Cutiongco.

Kids & adults

Cutiongco, also marketing manager of Speed Stacks distributor Toys@Work, said the tournament is open for kids aged 13-under and will run loosely in four months until January 2010.

Qualifying sessions are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 3. Those who would want to qualify will only need to beat the qualifying individual minimum time per stack type: 3-3-3, 3-6-3, and cycle stack.

Monthly eliminations and record-setting are scheduled on Oct. 24, Nov. 28, Dec, 19 and Jan. 30 with the championship round scheduled on Jan. 31, 2010, all the the BTC main lobby area near Toys@Work.

While schools are encouraged to form sports stacking teams and send recognized representative players for the inter-school events, the tournament also has an open event for non-school-based players.

School representatives who want to attend the Sept. 30 briefing may call 344-8345 or 346-5802. or send an email to activities.btc@gmail.com.

Stacking started as a school-based PE activity meant to develop and stimulate the agility and mental alertness of the students.

Other than the inter-school events, the BTC tournament will introduce special events that will include teenagers and yuppies, as well as family members regardless of age.