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These teams will represent the Philippines in Dubai for the Red Bull Half Court World Final in November.
Two teams emerged as the kings and queens of Philippine half-court hoops over the weekend at the Red Bull Half Court National Final at Parqal in Aseana City, Parañaque.
Bannered by Gilas Pilipinas Women 3×3 standouts, Uratex Dream will carry the flag for the women’s division of the World Final that will be held from November 27 to 29 in Dubai.
Uratex Dream went on a dominant run over the weekend, beating the Pilipinas Aguilas, 16-8, which also featured national team members Tantoy Ferrer, Trina Guytingco, and Jhaz Joson. Later into the evening, it was a lopsided 22-8 victory over the Uratex Tiabay to book the first ticket to Dubai.
“Syempre sobrang happy kami na nanalo kami, kasi lahat ng pinaghirapan namin is nagbunga at nakuha namin ‘yung goal namin na maging champion,” Pingol said of the win. “Our goal is to inspire and mapakita sa mga tao ang Philippine basketball.”
Alongside captain Kaye Pingol, Uratex Dream includes stars Lexi Pana, Samantha Harada, and Hazel Yam, who all have experience playing in half-court tournaments such as Manila Hustle and the FIBA Women’s Series with Gilas Women 3×3.
Pingol said that this experience playing across the 3×3 circuit was crucial to their title romp, and will just be as vital when they face their fellow national champions in Dubai.
“Yun nga, parang halos lahat kami 3×3 talaga ‘yung nilalaro namin and naglalaro kami sa FIBA Women’s Series kaya sobrang laking bagay ‘yung mga experience na nakuha namin at nag-translate dito sa game namin. Sana magtuloy tuloy and sana makuha ‘yung goal namin sa Dubai,” she said.
“Sobrang happy kami kasi club team kami sa Uratex Dream and parang konti lang ‘yung time namin na i-represent ang Philippines internationally, so unique opportunity talaga ito samin.”
While Uratex Dream cruised to the World Finals, it was the exact opposite in the men’s division with Taho Story, which had to grind through a pair of tough contests in their path to Dubai.
Taho Story came from behind against Hoopjeep, a squad led by former DLSU guard Jordan Bartlett and College of St. Benilde forward AJ Benson, with Ik Akpuru hitting the game-winner to complete an 8-7 stunner. They followed it up with a 9-5 win over Fit N’ Grind in a physical finals affair to punch their own ticket to Dubai.
Unlike Uratex Dream with its Gilas 3×3 standouts, most of Taho Story’s players including John Dominique Monteclaro, Jordan Rios, and Ik Akpuru, will be first-timers on an international level. Still, they believe that their family-like bond will be the X-factor in the World Final.
“Dahil matagal na rin kaming magkakasama, so chemistry [was the advantage]. Ang dami naming liga na pinagdaanan na natalo at nanalo. We stick together, we stay as a family, and we stay as brothers; amuyan na lang,” said Monteclaro, who has teamed up with Rios and Akpuru before linking up with Taho Story.
Michael Macaballug, the lone Taho Story veteran, says that he has already bonded quite well with the Monteclaro-Rios-Akpuru trio.
“So ngayon, may mga bago akong teammates, and we’ll be building our chemistry by joining other 3×3 leagues. So itong chemistry na ito, feeling ko iba eh pag nagsama kaming apat, so ‘yun lang ‘yung mapagmamalaki ko sa amin. We’re competitive, we work hard as a team, and we’re a family,” he said.
Aware of their status as newcomers, Taho Story is keeping their feet planted on the ground even as they aim for half-court glory in Dubai a month from now.
“Syempre, it feels great kasi we’ve been practicing hard…may talo kami noong eliminations, but we adjusted. God’s plan ito na mapunta sa finals at mag-champion,” Monteclaro reflected. “Underdog mentality kami, and we’ll practice harder kasi ibang competition na sa ibang bansa.”
Images courtesy of Red Bull Philippines.