The Phenom
emerged as the tournament winners and earned the chance to represent the our
country - Philippines in the Red Bull Reign World Finals in Washington DC, USA.
Red Bull Reign is
a high-endurance, offense-driven 3x3 basketball tournament that gathers the
world’s top ballers to battle it out for the chance to compete at the World
Finals. The rules are simple: the team that scores the most overall points in
each round will advance until only one team remains.
The final sixteen teams consisted of: LGU, PACITA, SOULDIER, Kervy, LA, Team Kate, Better Basketball PH, VVEstrada, Sy Men, HumKins, Phenom, King of Hoops, Evogen, Tough Gear C, Tough Gear A and 7 Eleven.
The event kicked off with the Last Chance Qualifier that
enabled Phenom to advance to the Finals later that afternoon. Over the course
of the day, each team collided in a series of round-robin style matches,
intensified by familiar players like former NCAA player from Lyceum of the
Philippines – Seraj Elmejrab of team PACITA, a former UAAP player from UST Growling Tigers –
John Jordan Sta. Ana of team Phenom, and Senior Board Member of Ilocos Norte –
Matthew Marcos Manotoc of LGU.
“It’s super robust. Everywhere, you have people playing
basketball – old to young, good to not very good, it’s always been a very
healthy basketball scene,” says Manotoc. “Probably one of the most vibrant in
the world, very proud of the basketball scene, and Red Bull Reign is just a
testament to that.”
Red Bull Reign progressed into the semi-finals, which saw
three rounds of competitive back-to-back contests between Phenom, Souldier, and LGU. Despite delays due to the weather throughout the day, Phenom
and LGU later advanced to the finals with a score of 46-to-50. Both teams
collided on the court, but Phenom would emerge as the Philippine Champions, at
a score of 10-to-06. The winning team included team captain, Carl Kenneth
Sumalacan, Jarrold Flores, John Rom Alvarado, and John Jordan Sta. Ana.
“Today was extremely difficult, it was as if we went through
the eye of a needle. They were all skilled and hungry to win,” shares
Sumalacan. “We are happy and at the same time, excited. We were constantly worn
out, but it was all worth it.”
For the second year in a row, PBA legend Vince Hizon oversaw Red Bull Reign as tournament director. “We’re really trying to get bigger and better every year. And I think we’re definitely doing that,” says Hizon. “Red Bull truly made a big presence here and what’s nice is the homegrown presence. So hopefully, Phenom represents us well in Washington D.C., and we’re praying for the best.”
According to sports consultant, Al Delos Reyes, “What’s good about Red Bull Reign is that it opens another door for amateurs who, even though haven’t been part of any basketball professional leagues, get the chance to represent the Philippines against 60+ countries. And it’s on, Phenom is flying to Washington, D.C. later this year!”
Following their hard fought victory at the second annual Red Bull Reign, Phenom will represent the Philippines at the World Finals in Washington DC, USA, later this year.
It was a privilege and I am happy to see one of my classmate and seatmate in
college at the University of the East, Manila. Jordan Sta. Ana was studying at UE, before he transfers at UST.
I am so proud to his achievement together with his teammate, and once again congratulation to team Phenom for representing our country to the world finals.
For more information, please visit: redbull.com/reign
for more pictures you can visit https://www.facebook.com/127752217429247/photos/?tab=album&album_id=808466659357796
for more pictures you can visit https://www.facebook.com/127752217429247/photos/?tab=album&album_id=808466659357796
