Capital Region teams are competing for the chance to play on the Times Union Center court during the 2018 MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships
ALBANY, NY; – The four remaining teams in the inaugural I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge are set to play during the semi-final round at the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest on Friday, March 2 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Capital Center.
The semi-finals will pit City Rocks against Northwestern Mutual and AYCO versus the Capital District YMCA. Game times are at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Admission is free. All four teams advanced following two rounds of tournament-style competition over the weekend at the Albany YMCA.
The 14-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 first rounds of the inaugural I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge were a resounding success and the semi-final round 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 14 participating teams and fans can now see the final four teams go head-to-head while tasting gourmet mac-n-cheese from numerous restaurants. 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 City Rocks squad topped National Grid during the second round of competition, while Northwestern Mutual secured a win to advance against Berkshire Bank.
AYCO was able to take home the victory against Pioneer Bank and the Capital District YMCA defeated CAP COM Federal Credit Union to create a competitive semi-final round as the corporate challenge moves closer to crowning a champion.
The semi-finals 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.
While there is no admission charge to attend the semi-finals of the I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge, tickets are required to sample gourmet mac-n-cheese dishes from nearly a dozen Albany-area restaurants during the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest. Numerous 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 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). Craft beer tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and will be available exclusively at the event (must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).
The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will also feature performances by pep bands and spirit squads from MAAC colleges and universities, as well as family-friendly entertainment and activities, including basketball-themed inflatables and a balloon artist. All musical performances and family activities will take place in the MAAC Fan Zone presented by Pioneer Bank.
The I LOVE NEW YORK 3-on-3 MAAC Corporate Basketball Challenge championship game will be held at the Times Union Center on Sunday, March 4 prior to the MAAC men’s semi-finals.
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.