Capital Region teams competing for chance to take center court during
Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest and to be honored during MAAC Men’s Championship
ALBANY, NY; – Four teams are set to compete in the semifinals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Challenge after a weekend of exhilarating basketball action at the Albany YMCA.
The semifinals will pit Capital Region financial institutions and financial investment organizations against one another when Ayco matches up against SEFCU and CAP COM clashes with Northwestern Mutual on Saturday, March 9 at the Albany YMCA. Game times are at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is free. All four teams advanced following round-robin elimination play on Sunday, February 24 at the Albany YMCA.
The eight-team tournament was developed to extend the excitement of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to corporate boardrooms and businesses throughout the Capital Region. The tournament is being run and administered by the Capital District YMCA.
“The first rounds of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge were a tremendous success and the semifinals will surely bring even more excitement for basketball fans in the Capital Region,” said David Brown, president and CEO of the Capital District YMCA. “The competition and sportsmanship were outstanding among the participating teams and fans can now see the final four teams go head-to-head. 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.”
Both Ayco and CAP COM went undefeated in opening round competition to secure the number one seeds, while Northwestern Mutual and SEFCU advanced with a 2-1 record as the corporate challenge moves closer to crowning a champion.
In addition to tournament play, each of the participating teams also competed in a friendly 3-point contest and free throw competition. Ryan Regan of Northwestern Mutual won the 3-point contest after making 9 out of 10 shots, while Thomas Santiago of SEFCU was victorious during the free throw competition.
Each semifinal game will 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 two teams to emerge from the semifinals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge will square off on Championship Monday between 4 and 8 p.m. during the fourth annual Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest on March 11 at the Albany Capital Center. Both the winner and second-place team will be honored during the MAAC Men’s Championship.
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will follow the MAAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Monday, March 11 at 2:30 p.m. and take place prior to the MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship which tips off at 9 p.m. Both games will be held at the Times Union Center, which is connected by walkway to the Albany Capital Center.
While there is no admission charge to attend the finals of the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge, tickets are required to sample gourmet mac-n-cheese dishes from numerous local restaurants during the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest. Several craft beer and wine options from regional breweries and wineries will also be available for tasting.
Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest are available at www.albanyfanfest.com. Fans can save $2 per set of sampling tickets with advance purchase. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 and entitle guests to five samples of mac-n-cheese. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door for $10 (cash only).
Craft beer and wine tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and are available exclusively at the event (cash only; must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will also feature free family-friendly activities and entertainment, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables and music from a DJ.
Sponsors of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest include Hannaford Supermarkets, New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), SEFCU, Saratoga Eagle, Dunkin’, AYCO, Pioneer Bank, Albany Capital Center, Total Events, ESPN 104.5 WTMM and NewsChannel 13.
The 2019 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will take place Thursday, March 7 through Monday, March 11 at the Times Union Center. The tournament champions each earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.
All-session and individual session passes are currently on-sale for the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. Flex ticket packages may also be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
For more information about the 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge or the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, visit www.albanyfanfest.com.