By Waylon Galvez
Even on esports basketball, the Philippines proved to be the superior team in the region.
The national team for esports basketball scored two crucial wins opposite its Southeast Asian rival Indonesia at the inaugural exhibition FIBA Esports Open 2020 Friday night.
The national team came through with two convincing victories over Indonesia, opening the tournament with a 56-29 win in Game 1, before hammering a 64-30 triumph in Game 2.
Aljon “Shintarou” Cruzin led the team in scoring in both games as he dropped 22 points as well as three rebounds and seven assists in the first match, then collected 23 markers a rebound and four dimes in the second game.
The two teams face off three more times, twice Saturday and one more on Sunday.
Dubbed the ‘Dream Team’ following its four consecutive NBA2K Asia Pacific championships from 2019 to 2019, the 7-man national team lived up to its lofty billing the way it won against Indonesia.
The team of Philippe “Izzo” Alcaraz, Rocky “Rak” Braña, Clark Banzon, Al “Alt” Timajo, Aljon “Shintarou” Cruzin, Custer “Aguila” Galas and Rial Polog Jr. displayed tight defense and awesome shooting.
Produced by the brand new FIBA Esports Studio in Riga, Latvia, the exhibition tournament is FIBA’s way to further grow the sport globally by partnering withesports via NBA2K.
No team will be proclaimed champion in the 17-team tournament.
Aside from the Philippines and Indonesia, also in the event are Italy, Australia, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Each team consists of seven players with five to play. Games will be played remotely on NBA 2k using the Pro-Am mode and allowing full customization of player avatars, uniforms and arena designs.
The games are live streamed on FIBA’s Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels with live commentary.
