By MARK REY MONTEJO
Expect another fast and intense action as Filipino 3×3 players vie in the 2025 Red Bull Half Court later this month.
With World Final tickets in the United Arab Emirates this October at stake, male and female cagers are anticipated to pour it all like there’s no more tomorrow in the island-hopping event starting late August until mid-October.
The qualifiers will kick off in Davao (Aug. 30-31), followed by Cebu (Sept. 13-14) and Manila (Sept. 27-28) and the regional victors are heading into the National Finals hosted anew by the Philippine capital on Oct. 18.
The grand winners in the men’s and women’s divisions will don the tricolors in World Finals in Dubai, UAE on Nov. 27-29 where top players from the U.S, Japan, Australia, Dominican Republic will be there to showcase the forms that have made them the teams to beat.
“Year after year, Red Bull Half court continues to push the game forward. Seeing the sport grow in new countries and watching these athletes bring their best is truly special,” said NBA shooting coach Chris ‘Lethal Shooter’ Matthews. “I can’t wait to see who makes it to the World FInal in the UAE.”
The competition will be under FIBA rules – in terms of time and points required – and it added a new twist as the team which has the most scoring points all throughout will be receiving the “Own the Court” bonus which could help them advance to the next stage.
For the competitors, a team is composed of 3 to 4 participants and no younger than 18 years old plus they must be a Philippine native who holds three valid passports.
Last year, Lervin Flores powered TNT Tropang Giga over the Blancas, 15-13, in the men’s final at the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila.
While in the distaff side, Kaye Pingol and the Uratex Dream got the best out of Discovery Perlas, 9-6, to join the Tropang Giga in the world in New York City.
