MetroStar Realty grabbed the first-ever VIVO Hoop Battle championship after defeating Team Core, 21-10, on Sunday at a jam-packed Market! Market! in Taguig City.
Although it was MetroStar Realty which won the Philippine leg, both finalists will be sent to Suzhou, China in August to battle it out with other Asian teams to determine who will claim the Hoop Battle Champion Title and the top prize worth P3 million.
MetroStar Realty nipped Team Ballers, 18-16, while Team Core edged Arellano University in overtime, 22-20, in the semifinals to set up a final showdown.
In the finals, MetroStar banked on 6’5” American Jamal Charlie Thomas, who eventually was named MVP of the tournament, and PBA D-League players Joseph Navarro, Reinier Quinga and Argene Sabaza, to dominate Team Core and turned what was expected to be a close encounter into into a one-sided affair.
Thomas, a practice player for the Global Port Batang Pier in the PBA, also took the MVP trophy plus a Vivo V7 and trophy.
“I’m honored to be named as MVP, but I couldn’t have done it without these guys,” said the 27-year-old Thomas, who with the rest of MetroStar Realty will buckle down to work to prepare for their China stint. “We’re going to train right away and improve aspects in our game as a team because I feel we have a chance to win there.”
With the win, MetroStar bagged the top purse worth P200,000, while Team Core, bannered by John Vidal, JP Cauilan and Axel Torres, but which played without injured JR Alabanza, earned P100,000 for its runner-up finish in the event presented by AyalaMalls Synergies, Inc. and VIVO, the leading global smartphone brand, and backed by Capdase.
VIVO also gave the crowd the chance to witness a China vs Philippines three-point shootout, where the hosts easily defeated the visitors, 31-25.
The PH team was composed of Enderun’s Mike dela Cruz, Ateneo’s Marcio Sario of Team Ballers and Team F4’s AJ Madrigal of UP, while the Chinese team was backstopped by three Chinese pro-basketball players, Jason Song, who is playing for ABL Kung Fu, Camel Luo and veteran Young Sean, who won the 2014 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Beijing Masters.
Sean indicated that kids who love the game should focus more on the basics of the sport, adding that it is the most important aspect when it comes to basketball.
VIVO encourages its users to pursue an energetic lifestyle.
“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,” said Gabby Katigbak, General Manager of AMSI Inc.