Hoops for Hope Tournament Coming to Puerto Vallarta Erin Staley - PV Guide
go to original October 1, 2012

Puerto Vallarta continues to be a worldwide destination, attracting movie stars, concerts, corporate conventions and international sporting events. Well, nothing has changed as our fair city by the Banderas Bay will be hosting the first-ever 2012 Puerto Vallarta Hardwood Tournament of Hope and the 2012 Hoops for Hope Classic.

This fall, eight women's collegiate basketball teams will kick things off in the 2012 Puerto Vallarta Tournament for Hope (November 20-22). Basketball fans will love watching the game in the state-of-the-art Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center.

The eight men's collegiate basketball teams will come face to face in the 2012 Hoops for Hope Classic. All eight teams will play two games on-campus (November 11, 19 and 21) with UALR, South Carolina, Missouri State and SMU coming in as preliminary round hosts. Then, all eight teams will head to sunny Puerto Vallarta to play two additional games at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center (November 24 and 25).

The following teams will be competing for the 2012 Hoops for Hope Classic honors:

•    Alcorn State University (Braves)
•    Jacksonville University (Dolphins)
•    Missouri State University (Bears)
•    Rider University (Broncs)
•    South Carolina University (Cocky)
•    Southern Methodist University (Perunas)
•    University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Trojans)
•    University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Panthers)

On November 24, fans can watch Alcorn State vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Jacksonville vs. Rider, South Carolina vs. Missouri State, and UALR vs. SMU. Division finals will take place on the 25th.

Both 2012 collegiate basketball tournaments are sponsored by the Missouri Valley Conference and organized by Basketball Organizer, Plan BC3, LLC. Proceeds will go toward the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation to increase awareness and research for the "Cure UCD."

"A urea cycle disorder is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation that results in a deficiency of one of the six enzymes in the urea cycle. These enzymes are responsible for removing ammonia from the blood stream," according to NUCDF.org. "Normally, the urea is transferred into the urine and removed from the body. In urea cycle disorders, the nitrogen accumulates in the form of ammonia, a highly toxic substance, resulting in hyperammonemia (elevated blood ammonia). Ammonia then reaches the brain through the blood, where it can cause irreversible brain damage, coma and/or death."

Tournament resorts will include the newly opened Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta and the newly renovated Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta. Both resorts are located in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, just 20 minutes north of the Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR).

If you are interested in attending the 2012 Puerto Vallarta Hardwood Tournament of Hope or the 2012 Hoops for Hope Classic, visit www.planbc3.com or by phone at  (314) 757-7554. You will need to purchase a fan package which includes accommodations and unlimited food and beverages at one of the two host resorts, ground transportation and game tickets.

Make your arrangements soon as this power-packed event may sell out quickly. Show your team spirit and join us in supporting a good cause.