The Philippines has solidified its contenders for the upcoming Red Bull Half Court 2024 in New York City, USA, following an intense regional showdown in Manila on April 27th at the Bonifacio Shrine.
The journey leading up to this moment has been nothing short of thrilling, with teams from all corners of the country showcasing exceptional sportsmanship, skill, and tenacity on the court. From exhilarating buzzer-beaters to awe-inspiring dunks, this year’s Red Bull Half Court series has been marked by fierce competition, leaving only the top twenty-four teams to vie for victory at the Red Bull Half Court 2024 National Finals. Among these are eight men’s qualifying teams, eight men’s wildcard teams, four women’s qualifying teams, and four wildcard teams.
During the event on April 27th, aspiring teams battled fiercely for the chance to compete on the global stage. Actor and basketball enthusiast Gerald Anderson, alongside his team, 3rd Floor, navigated through the Pool Phase and advanced to the Quarter Finals after facing off against four other teams. Despite their valiant effort, they were narrowly defeated by TNT Tropang Giga with a score of 12-11.
Reflecting on his participation, Anderson shared, “It was recommended to me. I was looking for a basketball event to compete in and Red Bull Half Court was perfect. Red Bull Half Court is intense. (It’s) very hot due to the intense heat, but overall the concept is great for everyone.”
Ultimately, Almond Vosotros, Levin Flores, Chester Saldua, and Matt Salem of TNT Tropang Giga, alongside Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, Eunique Chan, and Afril Bernardino of Uratex Dream, emerged as the deserving representatives of the Philippines for the Red Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals. Their unwavering dedication and hard work have indeed paid off, propelling them closer to their ultimate goal.
“Red Bull has provided numerous opportunities for the basketball community across the Philippines, spanning from Cebu to Davao and here in Manila. It has been a tremendous support for all players, and we sincerely hope that Red Bull will continue hosting events like the Red Bull Half Court annually, or even better, twice or thrice a year, to allow everyone to play and participate,” exclaimed Almond Vosotros of TNT Tropang Giga.
Kaye Pingol of Uratex Dream expressed heartfelt gratitude and excitement to Red Bull for granting women a platform to shine on a larger stage. “Red Bull Half Court is a significant win for our team, especially because women’s basketball is often overlooked and lacks a prominent platform here in the Philippines.”
Beyond the exhilarating matchups on the court, the Red Bull Half Court 2024 National Finals also featured captivating performances by the Philippine All Stars, Pricetagg, Zae, and DJ Razikyle. Their dynamic routines added an extra layer of entertainment to the event, showcasing not only remarkable athleticism but also the vibrant cultural scene of the Philippines.
Furthermore, amidst the basketball action and artistic displays, attendees were treated to an art showcase by Raco Ruiz. His unique artistic vision brought a touch of creativity and flair to the proceedings. Red Bull’s collaboration with Raco Ruiz and the Manila LGU extended to the renovation of a selected basketball court within a local community in Manila, including the painting of a mural on the floor and hoop backstops. Live art demonstrations on the hoop backstops further enhanced the spectacle, highlighting the fusion of sports and artistry in the country.
With heads held high, the victorious teams, TNT Tropang Giga and Uratex Dream, are now gearing up to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals, where they will confront formidable opponents from various regions.
“This presents a monumental opportunity, not only for us but for women’s basketball as a whole, to showcase our talents on a global stage. We are overjoyed to have emerged victorious and to be entrusted with representing the Philippines in New York,” remarked Kaye Pingol of Uratex Dream.
Scheduled for October in New York, the Red Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals will witness the clash of the best street basketball talent from across the globe in a series of unforgettable tournaments. As each team braces for the upcoming challenge, they carry with them the aspirations and aspirations of a nation united by their passion for the game.
For more information and updates regarding the World Finals of Red Bull Half Court, visit Red Bull website and the following social media pages (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok )
[MENS DIVISION]POOL PHASE TOTAL SCORES[POOL A]-TNT Tropang Giga – 62
-The CrossOvers – 43
-KAMALAYAN – 39
-TIPUNO X – 52
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE QUARTERFINALS]-TNT TROPANG GIGA
-TIPUNO X [POOL B]-MERALCO BOLTS – 45
-3RD FLOOR – 44
-ELITE – 29
-UMTC PANTHERS – 25
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE QUARTERFINALS]-MERALCO BOLTS
-3RD FLOOR [POOL C]-Banh Mi Kitchen – 43
-FEU JRS – 49
-BLANCAS – 56
-DGIT FAM – 25
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE QUARTERFINALS]-BLANCAS
-FEU JRS [POOL D]-FEU SRS – 24
-KINGPIN – 49
-USJR JAGUARS – 38
-CJHA-B 18
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE QUARTERFINALS]-KINGPIN
-USJR JAGUARS [QUARTER FINALS]-TNT TROPANG GIGA vs 3RD FLOOR – 12-11
Almost Overtime, last minute shot from TNT
-MERALCO BOLTS vs TIPUNO X – 9-17
-Blancas vs USJR JAGUARS – 15-10
-Kingpin vs FEU JRS – 16-12 [SEMI FINALS]-TNT TROPANG GIGA vs TIPUNO X – 17-9
-BLANCAS vs KINGPIN – 15-10 [FINALS]-BLANCAS vs TROPANG GIGA – 13-15 [MEN’S DIVISION CHAMPIONS]TNT TROPANG GIGA – DEFENDING CHAMPIONS [WOMEN’S DIVISION]POOL PHASE TOTAL SCORES [POOL A]-URATEX DREAM – 48
-QP ENVERGA – 9
-FALCONS BLUE – 30
-EVSU-OC – 22
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE SEMI FINALS]-URATEX DREAM
-FALCONS BLUE [POOL B]-DISCOVERY PERLAS – 47
-New Zealand Creamery- 40
-EAC GENERALS – 25
-COACHES CORNER – 33
[WINNERS ADVANCING TO THE SEMI FINALS]-DISCOVERY PERLAS
-NZ CREAMERY [SEMI FINALS]-New Zealand Creamery vs Uratex Dream – 8-13
-Falcons Blue vs Discovery Perlas – 6-8 [FINALS]-URATEX DREAMS vs DISCOVERY PERLAS – 9-6 [WOMEN’S DIVISION CHAMPION]URATEX DREAMS – DEFENDING CHAMPION
