12 teams dispute last VIVO Hoop Battle berths

Twelve squads gear up for a battle royale at the Fairview Terraces in Novaliches, Quezon City today as they clash for the last two slots in the final stop of the four-leg eliminations leading to the VIVO Hoop Battle Championship Phl Finals.

Six teams have advanced to the finals of the pioneering event here, an annual 3x3 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 on 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 eightteam 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 Prince Rivero of Team Coco in action 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, and backed by Capdase.

Meanwhile, Team Just Coco, bannered by former La Salle aces Prince Rivero and Brent Paraiso along with Phl U-18 3x3 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.