Metrostar tops VIVO HoopBattle

Credits to http://www.whereiseduy.com/2018/07/team-metrostar-realty-win-first-vivo-hoop-battle-ph-championship/ Metrostar Realty became the first-ever winner of the VIVO HoopBattle 3×3 Championship Philippines as it overpowered Team Core, 21-10, in the finals over the weekend at Market! Market! in Taguig.

With 6-foot-5 American Jamal Charlie Thomas on the firing end, Metrostar proved too much for Team Core as it dominated the finals from start to finish to turn what was expected to be a thrilling duel into a one-sided affair.

It was in stark contrast to the hotly contested group duels and the semifinals with Metrostar Realty, nipping Team Ballers, 18-16, and Team Core rallying from behind to shock a taller Arellano University side, 22-20, in overtime.

Metrostar clinched the top purse worth P200,000 and towed Team Core, which hurdled the South Park qualifiers, to the HBC Finals in October in Guangzhou, China where they will slug it out with the other top finishers in other Asian tournaments.

The top three teams will receive P3 million, P900,000 and P600,000, respectively.

Team Core, bannered by John Vidal, JP Cauilan and Axel Torres, earned P100,000 for its runner-up finish.

Thomas, a practice player for Globalport in the PBA, also took the Most Valuable Player trophy plus a Vivo V7 and trophy.

“I’m honored to be mentioned as MVP but I can’t do it without these guys,” said the 27-year-old Thomas, who with the rest of Metrostar Realty will buckle down to work to prepare for their China stint.