Team Bull Squad took home victory at the Red Bull Reign competition, the company’s signature 3×3 basketball tournament which brought together a total of 8 teams that reigned in the previous qualifier tournaments (Cebu, Manila A, Manila b, Last Chance). The exciting, hotly competitive battle that pushed the players’ endurance and skills to limit was held last May 27th at the Nagtahan Bridge Court, Pasig River, in Manila.
Ushering in a competitive atmosphere, a series robin-style matches showcased the players’ offensive-driven styles and skills. The final eight teams consisted of: Cove MNL D&B, San Remegio Properties, Team Santa Rosa, Balandra Squad, G3 Apparel, DABARKADAS, Bull Squad, and Obladi Oblada.
Squaring off at the competition, Team Santa Rosa, Bull Squad, Balandra Squad, and G3 Apparel, which included Eric Tai and previous Red Bull Kind of the Rock Philippine Representative, Willie Miller endured intensive battles in the first three round of the semi-finals. Team Santa Rosa and Bull Squad, however, rose to bring their best skills to the table thus advancing to the finals with a tight score of 83 to 67. Emerging as the champion, the Bull Squad took home victory with a final score of 27 to 20. The team consisted of Filipino-Canadian PBA hopefuls, Clay Crellin and Glenn Gravengard, Kitt Paolo Balmori, and Team Captiain, Obinna Ezeike.
“The semi-finals were the biggest challenge”, Crellin shares. “We started at 8:30 in the morning, so the other teams had the advantage because they got to rest.” Although playing at a physical disadvantage, the victory hungry Bull Squad was able to fuel their minds and bodies to win the first-ever Red Bull Philippine Champions. As the winners of the National Championship, team Bull Squad will advance to the Red Bull Reign Finals in Washington DC, USA.
“You better watch out, we’re coming,” said team Bull Squad.