Two Philippine Champions emerged victorious at the Red Bull Reign Finals on Saturday, June 29th, 2019, at Kerry Sports Manila in Bonifacio Global City: Men’s Champions Phenom and Women’s Champions Team Gilas Women’s. Both teams advance to the Red Bull Reign Global Finals in Toronto, Canada, this August where they will represent the Philippines against 15 other nations from around the globe.
Red Bull Reign is a high-endurance, offense-driven 3-on-3 street basketball tournament that brings the best ballers in the world together. Each game is contested under strict rules inspired by FIBA’s (International Basketball Federation) 3-on-3 rules:
• Teams consist of 3 players (+1 reserve) age 18 and above
• Games take place back-to-back on opposite halves of the court
• The first team to score 21 points or the most points in 10 minutes wins the match
In total, fourteen male teams and eight female teams competed this year.
Women’s Red Bull Reign Tournament
Red Bull Reign 2019 introduced a standalone tournament exclusively dedicated to women. Teams from countries including Russia, United Kingdom, and the Canada held local tournaments to find representatives for the Global Finals.
This year’s instalment saw several local teams all vying for a spot in the Finals. The opening games took place in the morning and progressed over the course of the day, until only two teams remained: Zamboanga Valientes and Team Gilas Women’s, with the later taking the victory with a final score of 21 – 06.
Team Gilas Women’s is comprised of Jack Daniel Animam, Claire Castro, Janine Pontejos and Afril Bernardino. They are members of the Philippines’ national women’s basketball team, with years of experience under their belt.
“We train everyday”, says power forward Animam. “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!”
Men’s Red Bull Reign Tournament
This year’s men’s tournament began with the Last Chance Qualifier, which saw eight teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao compete head-to-head in back-to-back action. Teams Phenom and Philippine Navy, and team J Hoop from Cebu City, crushed the competition to advance to the Semi-Finals together with Team Basilian.
Teams Phenom and Basilan both won their respective games to meet in a thrilling finals showdown.
With amazing shooting and tenacity, the Phenom edged its competition to a final score of 22-to-19. As three-time Red Bull Reign Philippine Champions, the Phenom this year consisted of former NCAA and PBA D-League players Shaq Alanes, Junjie Hallare, and Micole Sorela.
“I’m kinda speechless”, says 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.”
“Toronto, here we come!” shares Phenom team captain, Bong Pineda, in a statement that echoed Animam’s sentiments. “We’re excited to advance to the World Finals. We’re coming, Toronto!”
Reign 2019
Vince Hizon, Tournament Director of Red Bull Reign, shares his thoughts on this year’s tournament. “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.”
As the 2019 Red Bull Reign Philippine Champions, Phenom and Team Gilas will represent the country at the Global Finals in Toronto, Canada, this coming August!
For more information, please visit: win.gs/redbullreign2019. Congrats to all the winners! 07/04/2019 (Runner Rocky)
BIO INFORMATION | TEAM PHENOM
Team Phenom are also the champions from Red Bull Reign
2018, with one of the 2018 players Bong Pineda now serving as their coach. They
faced off against their friends in Team Basilan during the 2019 finals.
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|
MEMBERS:
1.
Micole Sorela, 28 (Captain;
former player in the NCAA under San Beda)
2.
Shaq Alanes, 25 (former player
in the NCAA under Lyceum of the Philippines University)
3.
Junjie Hallare, 25 (PBA
D-League player under St. Clare College-Virtual Reality. Upset Cignal-Ateneo in
the league last April)
Q&A:
1.
How did you hear about Red Bull Reign, and what made you want to join
the competition?
·
We were informed by our boss and heard about this competition yesterday.
So we had some big surprises; we were supposed to have practice elsewhere
today, but instead we were sent here.
2.
How did the whole team prepare for the event? What are you drawing
inspiration from?
·
It was sudden! It really was just sudden - we went home from a game last
Wednesday then took 2 days off. We thought today was for practice, actually.
Still, we want others to recognize us in this league.
3.
If you win, how would it feel to represent the Philippines in the World
Finals?
·
It’d feel great - and it’d be a first for us to represent the
Philippines. It’s a beautiful opportunity because we carry the Philippines’
name, not just ours.\
4.
If given the opportunity, what are you looking forward to the most in
Toronto, Canada?
·
We wanna meet Kawhi Leonard! That’s number one for sure. Then there’s
the food, weather and just the place itself - it’s our first time there after
all. But most of all would be the experience of playing there, against teams
from all over the world. It’ll be a challenge, but we’ll be ready. We’re
coming, Toronto!
BIO INFORMATION | TEAM
GILAS
Team Gilas Women’s are the national women’s basketball team of the
Philippines, with years of experience under their belt. They have a friendly
rivalry with the Zamboanga Valientes, whom they triumphed over in the finals.
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MEMBERS:
1.
Janine Pontejos, 26
2.
Jack Daniel Animam, 20
3.
Claire Castro, 22
4.
Afril Bernardino, 23
Q&A:
1.
How did you hear about Red Bull Reign, and what made you want to join
the competition?
·
Someone contacted and invited us to the event.
2.
How did the whole team prepare for the event? What are you drawing
inspiration from?
·
We train every day, knowing that our families will be proud of us.
3.
If you win, how would it feel to represent the Philippines in the World
Finals?
·
We’d be so proud to bear the name of our country. We reaching the finals
is a privilege.
4.
If given the opportunity, what are you looking forward to the most in
Toronto, Canada?
·
We look forward to the experience of being there, and also the
opportunity to show Philippine basketball to the world.
About Red Bull
Red Bull gives wings to people and ideas. As a functional beverage, we give wings to our athletes by vitalizing body and mind - supporting their dreams and aspirations through their passions like basketball.
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