After a series of exciting elimination games, Team MetroStar Realty edged out Team Core to become the fist ever champions of the VivoHoop Battle Philippines held at the Market! Market! event Center.
Team METRO STAR REALTY was composed of Reinier C. Quinga, Argene Sabalza, Joseph Navarro and Jamal Charley Thomas who was also named MVP.
TEAM CORE on the other hand was composed of John Paul S. Cauilan, John Arthur N. Vidal, JR Alabanza and Axel Torres.
The HoopBattle Championship is an annual 3×3 basketball tournament held in some districts in China and other Asian countries. In the Philippines, the tourney was a partnership between Global smartphone brand Vivo and the Ayala Malls.
The top eight teams who faced off at the Market! Market! on Sunday were Ballers, Metrostar Realty, Team F4, BS Susim Shipping, Team Core, Just Coco, Arellano University, and Team Enderun.
The final two teams will be sent to Guangzhou, China in August 2018 and play against other groups in Asia to claim the HoopBattle Champion title. Aside from the chance to play at an international basketball game, the two winning teams will get Php200,000 or Php100,000.
If the Philippine team enters the top three in the final games, they will also bring home RMB400,000 (around P3 million), RMB120,000 (around Php900,000), and RMB80,000 (around Php600,000).
The event venue were filled with spectators who witnessed four main battles, as well as several side events such as a fun 3pt shoot-out between Team Philippines and three star players from China – Jason Song, Camel Luo and Young Sean.
Jason Song (Song Shuai) is set to mesmerize fans with his impressive skills and tricks on the court. The 194-cm tall pro play is part of the ABL Kungfu Team and was part of the 2016 HoopBattle Journey reality TV show. Known for his smart game plan and amazing footwork, Song was also one of 2015’s HBC 3×3 Top 8 players and 2016 CBA Longlions Basketball Club Youth Team.
Another towering force from China is fellow ABL Kungfu Team player Camel Luo (Luo Yongxuan). Like Song, Luo was part of the 2016 CBA Longlions Basketball Club Youth Team, and had participated for two years – from 2013 to 2014- in China’s National Youth Basketball Team.
Last but not the least is Young Sean (Wang Cong), who’s the star player of the men’s basketball team of Peking University and the champion of the 2014 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Beijing Masters. He later placed fourth at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Beijing Master and was a HoopBattle Journey player in 2016.
Basketball fans will also have the chance to participate as three players from the audience can show off their lay-up, free throw, and 3-point shooting skills at the 3×3 HoopBattle Court. The fastest player to perfectly complete these shots received premium prizes from smartphone brand.
LOVE OF THE GAME
The HoopBattle Championship (HBC) had first started in China in 2015 and has expanded to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Chengdu, Kunming, Foshan, Hongkong, Taiwan and now the Philippines. The Philippine leg, presented by Ayala Malls in partnership with ABS-CBN S+A, is co-presented by Vivo and is held at various Ayala Malls in Metro Manila.
A lot is at stake as the top two finishers in the Philippine leg will receive a cash prize of P200,000 and P100,000, respectively. The Philippines, should they be able to out-best the talented teams from other countries, have the chance at the grand championship this October in Suzhou, China, where P3 million, P900,000 and P600,000 cash prizes await the three grand finalists.
“Filipinos are basketball fans through and through, which is why it’s exciting for us at Ayala Malls to be able to share and support the games and all our talented players,” says Gabby Katigbak, General Manager of AMSI, Inc. “We do invite everyone to check out the exciting game this coming July 29, at Market! Market! and Feel the thrill and enjoy fast-faced basketball action!”
Vivo, a brand that encourages its users to pursue an energetic lifestyle, has been at the forefront of throwing support for sports. It has tapped basketball superstar Stephen Curry as its global ambassador.
Vivo also forged a partnership with FIFA World Cup as its Exclusive Smartphone Sponsor for the 2018 and 2022 football tournaments.
In the Philippines, Vivo has also sponsored the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Follow the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VHBCP/ for more details and updates.
