SBP, eSNAP express support towards e-Gilas

Lakad Matatag at Laban Pilipinas

With FIBA announcing the establishment of their first-ever international eSports competition, the FIBA eSports Open 2020, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was able to quickly mobilize a team to represent the country on June 19-21.

"Our participation in the FIBA eSports Open 2020 is an amazing opportunity to show the whole world that Philippine Basketball is a force in any arena that it is played in, digital or otherwise.” said SBP President Al Panlilio. “We are proud to be represented by the best of the best that the country has to offer and have no doubt that Team Pilipinas will show off the intensity, the heart, and the honor that we have when we play this game that we love."

Operations Director Butch Antonio adds, "Our Team Pilipinas is on the cusp of something great here. The great thing about competing in the virtual realm of esports is that there's no size mismatch, no height difference, there's only the dedication and drive to win--something that our sportsmen have always had in spades."

This was made possible with a collaboration with the eSports National Association of the Philippines (eSNAP), which already has team ready to compete. Seven players, all of which tote a 99 rating, will participate.

Answering the call are some of the best professional NBA2K players in the region:

Aljon "Shintarou" Cruzin

Rial "Rial" Polog, Jr. (2-Time NBA 2K Asia Champion)

Custer "Aguila" Galas (NBA 2K17 Asia Champion)

Philippe Alcaraz "Izzo" Herrero IV (NBA 2K18 Asia Champion)

Clark "Clark" Banzon

David John "Alt" Timajo

Rocky "Rak" Braña

Team is coached by Niele "Nite" Alparas.

Team Captain Herrero shares, "I believe Team Pilipinas is a dream team, and I'm just humbled that I'm part of this because I have been playing this game almost half of my life. With exceptional mechanics, good teamwork, and amazing teammates under my leadership, we can make it to the top. I'm just happy and excited to represent our country and make the Filipinos proud."

The FIBA eSports Open 2020 is a series of exhibition games featuring seventeen countries, using the NBA2K Pro-Am game mode. The Philippines is slated to face Indonesia five times in those three days. With experience in the continental NBA2K circuit, the Philippines is considered the favorites against their southern neighbors.

Matches will be done remotely and streamed online, with fans able to check out the action on the SBP's Facebook page. It will also be shown on the social media platforms of FIBA as well, allowing the federation to flex its new eSports facility in Riga, Latvia.