From the Philippines to New York: Red Bull Half Court National Finals in Full Swing!
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After the previous regional
resilience on the court, the Philippines has locked in their representative to
finish in the Red Bull Half Court 2024 in New York City, USA. The Red Bull Half
Court series this year was intense, featuring everything from jaw-dropping
dunks to exhilarating buzzer-beaters. Nevertheless, only the top twenty-four
teams – eight men’s qualifying teams, eight men’s wildcards, four women’s
qualifying teams, and four wildcard teams- were left to compete in the Red Bull
Half Court 2024 National Finals.
Last April 27, the qualifying
teams with dreams to complete in New York battled it out on the court. Actor
and basketball enthusiast Gerald Anderson was in attendance with his team, on 3rd
floor. After advancing through the Pool Phase and facing off against four other
teams, they reached the Quarter Finals. Despite a valiant effort, they were
bested by TNT Tropang Giga with a score of 12-11.
“It was recommended to me. I was
looking for a basketball event to compete in and Red Bull Half Court was perfect,”
Gerald Anderson said, explaining how he came to know about the event. “Red Bull
Half Court is intense,” he commented. “(It’s) very hot due to the intense heat,
but overall, the concept is great for everyone.”
In the end, Almond Vosotros, Levin
Flores, Chester Saldua, and Matt Salem of TNT Tropang Giga and Sam Harada, Kaye
Pingol, Eunique Chan, and Afril Bernardino of Uratex Dream earned the
prestigious chance to represent the Philippines on the global stage for the Red
Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals. Their hard work and dedication have
evidently paid off, and these attributes brought them one step closer to their
ultimate goal.
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| Photo Provided by Red Bull |
“Red Bull provided a lot of
opportunities for the basketball community in the Philippines, from Cebu, Davao, and here in Manila. It really is a great help for all of the players and we
hope that Red Bull will continue this event (Red Bull Half Court) every year or
even better, if possible, twice or thrice a year for everyone to play and participate”
exclaimed Almond Vosotros from TNT Tropang Giga.
Kaye Pingol from Uratex Dream
expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm to Red Bull for providing women an opportunity
to be seen on a bigger stage, “Red Bull Half Court is a big win for our team,
especially women’s basketball isn’t often seen or given a bigger platform here
in the Philippines.”
In addition to the thrilling
matchups on the court, the Red Bull Half Court 2024 National Finals also featured
performances by the Philippine All Stars, Pricetagg, Zae, and DJ Razikyle. Their
electrifying routines brought an extra dimension of entertainment to the event,
showcasing not only the incredible agility but also the vibrant cultural scene
of the Philippines.
Moreover, amidst the basketball
action and artistic performances. Attendees were treated to an art showcase by
Raco Ruiz. His unique artistic vision brought a touch of creativity and flair
to the event. Red Bull’s collaboration with Raco Ruiz and the Manila LGU
extended to the revamping of a chosen basketball court for a local community in
Manila, including painting a mural for the floor and hoop backstops. Adding to
the spectacle, live art demonstrations on the hoop backstops further enriched
the atmosphere and highlighted both sports and artistry in the country.
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| Photo Provided by Red Bull |
With their heads held high, the
winning teams, TNT Tropang Giga and Uratex Dream now prepare to be the
Philippines representatives at the Red Bull Half Court 2024 World Finals, where
they’ll face off formidable teams from different regions.
“This is a really big opportunity,
not only for us but women’s basketball in general, to have an opportunity to
showcase our talent, and we are extremely happy that we won and will be
representing the Philippines in New York,” said Kaye Pingol of Uratex Dream.
The Red Bull Half Court 2024 World
Finals will take place in New York this October, where the best street
basketball talents from around the globe will battle it out in an unforgettable
series of tournaments. As each team prepares for their next challenge, they
carry with them the hopes and dreams of a nation united by the love of the game.
For more information and updates
regarding the World Finals of Red Bull Half Court, visit the Red Bull website and
the following social media pages (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Tiktok).
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