Following a highly-competitive and intense National Finals last June 3rd, Red Bull Philippines finally crowned the country’s representatives in the culmination of Red Bull Half Court 2023. The Wildcard teams dominated the tournament, with TNT Triple Giga of the Men’s Division coming up on top, while Uratex Dream toppled 7 other female teams to secure their spot as the country’s undisputed representative to compete in the Women’s Division of the tournament. Both teams are headed to Serbia in September for the World Finals with the pride of the country on their back.
TNT Triple Giga, consisting of Almond Vosotros, Ping Exciminiano, Gryann Mendoza, and Lervin Flores, showed grit and perseverance when they managed to outperform all the other teams. During the winner-takes-all round against the team of the CAVITEX Braves, Almond Vosotros overcame the odds and rallied his team to victory in an intense back-and-forth match that ended with a final score of 20 to 21.
“For me, yung experience palagi nandun. Malaking tulong sa akin para I learn and na-adapt din ni Ping and Gryann. And Matagal na kami magkakasama, I think yun din advantage namin for this game” (For me, the experience is always there, so that’s a big help for me. Ping and Gryann adapted as well. Plus, we’ve been together for a long time so I think that’s our advantage), said Vosotros.
On the other hand, Uratex Dream of the Women’s Division left no room for doubt as they dominated throughout the tournament and secured their spot with a win over Team FILA. Kaye Pingol, along with her teammates Mikka Cacho, Samantha Harada, and Blanche Bahuyan, made it clear from the get-go that their goal is to win, and the 4 women are motivated more than ever to carry on that momentum to the World Finals.
Following the success of the event, Tournament Commissioner Coach Eric Altamirano expressed his delight and believes that this season is only the beginning for Red Bull Half Court Philippines.
“I think it’s a good start for Red Bull Half Court and I think they’re going to do this every year, so this is a good jumping point for the program. Sure, next year madami na mag pe-prepare, marami sasali pa, (there’ll be a lot of people who will prepare and join) and everyone will be looking forward for the event ng Red Bull every year,” said Altamirano.
The World Finals of Red Bull Half Court 2023 will go down in Serbia in September, and following both teams’ win at the National Finals, Triple TNT Giga and Uratex Dream are motivated more than ever to secure the championship in their respective division.
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