Team 2K Pilipinas targets FIBA Esports success

Seven Filipinos are set to make history and will seek to blaze a trail as they represent the country in the first-ever 2020 FIBA Esports Open that will take place June 19-21. 

Overseen by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Esports National Association of the Philippines (ESNAP), Team 2K Pilipinas will face ASEAN rival Indonesia in a five-game series that will be live-streamed on the official SBP Facebook page as well as on the official FIBA Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube accounts.

This tournament comes at a time when the SBP and FIBA are exerting efforts to keep a high degree of consciousness and awareness among basketball fans all over, especially with live games still shelved in most parts of the world.

"It's an extraordinary time and extraordinary day that sports and esports truly blend," said SBP president Al Panlilio. "I'd like to wish all our athletes good luck as we embark on this new chapter of FIBA. Lakad matatag tayo, laban Pilipinas." 

The Philippines is one of 17 countries from five FIBA subzones competing in the groundbreaking tournament. All the teams will play NBA 2K20 using Sony Playstation 4 consoles, and all the players may use customized avatars in-game.

Speaking of players, representing the Philippines are a handful of the best 2K players not just in the country but in Asia. 

Headlining the national 2K squad is Eight-time NBA 2K Pro-Am champion Aljon "Shintarou" Cruizin along with the first Pinoy to be drafted in the official NBA 2K League, Rial "Rial" Polog, Jr.

They are joined in the starting unit by NBA 2K Asia champion Custer "Aguila" Galas, experienced NBA 2K20 Global Championship player Clark Banzon, and Philippe "Izzo" Herrero IV. 

Coming off the bench as reserves for the Philippines are David John "Alt" Timajo and Rocky "Rak" Brana. Calling the shots is coach Niele "Nite" Alparas.

Team 2K Pilipinas is aiming for an excellent showing in the competition, and along with ESNAP, the squad is hoping to fast-track the growth of the local esports scene. 

"We all recognize that esports is a growing passion point of Filipinos, and we all wanted to be driving it forward in charting the course for the industry," said ESNAP President Jane Basas. "With this exciting partnership with SBP and FIBA, we're once again at the forefront giving our esports athletes, this time in basketball, an opportunity to shine on the global stage."