E-Gilas flies high in 2020 FIBA Esports Open!

The Philippines’ national esports basketball team reigned supreme in the ASEAN subzone of the 2020 FIBA Esports Open, sweeping rival Indonesia in their five-game series. The Filipinos’ dominant performance crowned them as ASEAN’s best NBA 2K unit.

The seven-man E-Gilas squad tallied its fifth win in as many games, 71-35, against the Indons this past Sunday night as Rial Polog Jr. scored a team-high 25 points. He was backstopped by Aljon “Shintarou” Cruzin, who had 15 points. Aside from Polog and Cruzin, E-Gilas is composed of Philippe “Izzo” Alcaraz Herrero IV, Custer “Aguila” Galas, Clark Banzon, Rocky “Rak” Braña, and Al “Alt” Timajo.

The triumph over Indonesia capped a terrific showing for E-Gilas, which won its matches by an average of 32.8 points.

“Thank you Team Pilipinas. SBP is very proud of you all,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio. “Keep on playing and improving for future FIBA Esports tournaments. Remain humble but hungry.”

Also competing in the landmark competition were Italy, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

The 2020 FIBA Esports Open, which was crafted in collaboration with 2K Sports, was produced in Riga, Latvia and live-streamed on FIBA’s Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube channels.