NADOMINA ng Phenom at Team Gilas ang mga karibal para makopo ang kampeonato sa kani-kanilang division sa Red Bull Reign Philippines finals nitong weekend sa Kerry Sports Manila sa Bonifacio Global City sa Taguig City.
Kasama ang Team Basilan,Philippine Navy at J Hoop ng Cebu City, umusad ang Phenom sa semifinals matapos ang matikas na kampanya sa qualifying meet na ginawa sa buong bansa.
Naisaayos ng Team Phenom at Basilan ang winning-take-all championship duel. Nagamit ng three-time Red Bull Reign Philippine champion ang karanasan para makaungos sa Mindanao representative, 22-19. Binubuo ang Phenom nina dating NCAA at PBA D-League players Shaq Alanes, Junjie Hallare, at Micole Sorela.
“I’m kinda speechless,” sambit ni Sorela. “We didn’t expect to win this, especially against our friends from Team Basilan. So we feel great! We wouldn’t have made it here without the help of our coaches or my awesome teammates.”
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“Toronto, here we come!” pahayag ni Phenom team captain Bong Pineda.
Hindi rin nagpahuli ang beretanong sina Jack Daniel Animam, Claire Castro, Janine Pontejos at Afril Bernardino para pabagsakin ang Zamboanga Valientes, 21-6, at pagbidahan ang Philippines’ national women’s basketball team.
“We’re excited to advance to the World Finals. We’re coming, Toronto!” pahayag ni Animan, patungkol sa susunod na kampanya ng koponan.
Bunsod ng panalao, kapwa kakatawanin ng Phenom at Gilas ang bansa sa Global Finals kung saan makakaharap nila ang mga champion sa buong mundo kabilang ang Russia, United Kingdom, at Canada.
Kasama ni Animam sa Gilas sina Claire Castro, Janine Pontejos at Afril Bernardino.
“We train everyday. We’ve known each other for so long that our teamwork is top notch. And now, it’s a privilege to represent the Philippines in the World Finals in Toronto!” sambit ni Animan.
Ang Red Bull Reign ay isang high-endurance, offense-driven 3-on-3 street basketball tournament na itinataguyod ng FIBA (International Basketball Federation).
Ikinatuwa rin ni dating PBA star Vince Hizon, tumatayong tournament director, ang tagumpay ng liga na aniya’t nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Pinoy cagers na maipamalas ang kanilang angking galling.
“The fact that this is a qualifier for a world tournament – that makes it a big deal. Red Bull has done an exceptional job in all the sports they’ve participated in, really uplifting sports through these amazing opportunities. But in basketball, they know how passionate the Filipinos are regarding the game,” ayon kay Hizon, miyembro ng pamosong Barangay Ginebra.
