MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas’ esports team returns to action as the country hosts the eFIBA Season 3 World Finals at the SMX Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga, from December 11 to 12.
The tournament, which will be played on NBA 2K25 using PlayStation 5, will feature the eight best teams from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Here are fast facts about eGilas’ participation:
Running it back
Enjoying home advantage, the Filipinos hope to go all the way this time after settling for fourth place last year in Season 2 held in Jonkoping, Sweden.
The Philippines missed out on a podium finish following a 62-46 loss to Turkey in the bronze-medal match.
With a year to regroup and fine-tune its gameplay, eGilas is running it back as it parades the same lineup for Season 3, with veteran Clark “PHI_ZavaLCB” Banzon (point guard) leading the way.
Also returning are Prich “PHI_DonPriich” Diez (center), Kenneth “PHI_Clue” Gutierrez (small forward), Isaiah “PHI_Ice2Fast” Alindada (shooting guard), and Julian “PHI_Social” Mallillin (power forward).
The team is coached by Nite Alparas.
“We’re super excited because it is our home court,” Gutierrez said in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview with One News’ Play by Play. “They say there is more pressure because it is our home court, but we’re not pressured.”
“We try to use that pressure as motivation for the competition.”
Every game counts
The eight teams are split into two groups and will play each other in a round-robin format, with the Philippines bunched with Europe champion Turkey, South America titlist Brazil, and Oceania winner New Zealand in Group B.
Meanwhile, Season 2 king USA banners Group A, which is also composed of Africa champion Algeria, Europe runner-up Portugal, and Middle East titlist Saudi Arabia.
Every game counts as only the top two teams from each group will reach the knockout rounds.
“Our goal is to win the championship,” Alparas told Smart Sports. “We’re taking it one step at a time. We’re thinking about the teams we’re going to face, and hopefully, we’ll sweep the group stage and reach the finals.”
“We’re the host country so we want to win the championship and show the entire world that we can do it.”
The champion will pocket $20,000, the runner-up will receive $10,000, while the third and fourth placers will bag $6,000 and $4,000, respectively.
Schedule
- Wednesday, December 11
- 11 am – Philippines vs New Zealand
- 4 pm – Philippines vs Turkey
- 7 pm – Philippines vs Brazil
- Thursday, December 12
- 1:30 pm – Semifinal 1
- 3:15 pm – Semifinal 2
- 5:15 pm – Battle for third
- 7 pm – Final
Admission is free and those in attendance can take part in the 1v1 Showdown to be organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. – Rappler.com