12 teams vie for last VIVO Hoop Battle slots
Twelve squads gear up for a battle royale at the Fairview Terraces in Novaliches, Quezon City tomorrow (Sunday, July 22) as they clash for the last two slots in the final stop of the four-leg eliminations leading to the VIVO Hoop Battle Championship Philippines Finals.
Six teams have advanced to the finals of the pioneering event here, an annual 3×3 basketball tournament held in some districts in China and other Asian countries. The Phl leg, presented by AyalaMalls Synergies, Inc. and Vivo, is held at various Ayala Malls in Metro Manila.
Still, focus will be on the chase for the last two spots in the finals among Tune Squad, Herons, MCM, Arellano U-2, Team Enderun, Triple B’s, EAC Pride, Twice, New Kicks Ballhandlers, EUDEX, Team Regal and D&B Titans.
Organizers are expecting a huge crowd to watch the final leg at Market! Market! on July 29 in a day tipped to be filled with fast-paced basketball action and excitement. For details and updates, follow the official Facebook page at https:www.facebook.com/VHBCP/.
Meanwhile, the top two teams in the eight-team finals on July 29 at Market! Market! will join the other top squads in other Asian tournaments in the grand championship slated in August in Suzhou, China.
The top finishers in the Phl leg will receive P200,000 and P100,000, respectively, while the top three teams in the grand finals in China will get P3 million, P900,000 and P600,000, respectively, in the event sponsored by Vivo, the leading global smartphone brand endorsed by NBA superstar Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, and backed by Capdase.
Meanwhile, Team Just Coco, bannered by former La Salle aces Prince Rivero and Brent Paraiso along with Phl U-18 3×3 member Encho Serrano and Ajay Khatri, and Team Core, led by former UE mainstay JR Alabanza, National U’s JP Cauilan, John Vidal and Axel Torres of Mandaluyong in the MPBL, dominated the third leg at South Park recently to clinch berths in the finals.
They will join early finalists Team Ballers and Metro Star Realty, which topped the first Phl leg at Glorietta, and F4 and BS Susim Shipping teams, which ruled the second stop at TriNoma.
During each stop, Vivo also gave spectators a chance to play at the 3×3 Hoop Battle court by handpicking three players from the audience to show off their layup, free throw and 3-point shooting skills. The fastest player to perfectly complete these shots received premium prizes from smartphone brand.
