Philippines’ Best 3x3 Teams Battle for Global Glory at the Red Bull Half Court National Finals

Manila, Philippines, May 26, 2026 — The Philippines' top three-on-three teams have spent months grinding through regional qualifiers. On June 13, they find out who among them is built for the world.

The Red Bull Half Court Philippines National Finals takes over Bigger Pictures, Mandaluyong in a single-day, winner-takes-all showdown where speed, skill, and offensive power determine everything. Following a series of qualifiers across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the country’s best streetball teams now converge for a single goal: to earn the right to represent the Philippines at the Red Bull Half Court World Finals in Manila.

Red Bull Half Court delivers the fastest version of three-on-three basketball, where games are capped at 10 minutes, and the first team to reach 21 points wins. What sets it apart from any other 3-on-3 format are the two unique rules that keep the pressure rising. First, the Own the Court Bonus, where six points are awarded to the highest-scoring squad in a cumulative team tally. In some cases, this bonus makes all the difference in the teams’ final standings.

Next is the three-point shots rule. Introduced in 2024, this rule features two three-point spots marked by circles drawn two metres behind the arc. Once a player takes a shot with their foot on the circle, it counts for three points.

Spotlighting the Philippines’ Rich Basketball Culture

More than a championship, the National Finals is a collision of stories, styles, and stakes. Emerging victorious from their respective regional qualifiers, the following regional teams now face off for one women’s slot and one men’s slot at the global court:

Manila

Uratex Tibay (Women’s Team)

Lady Maroons (Women’s Team)

SGF Kings (Men’s Team)

Filipino Mixtape (Men’s Team)

Cebu

Gimcuad-Ninz (Women’s Team)

Team BOKKI (Men’s Team)

Davao

Three-time winner Coaches Corner (Women’s Team)

Two-time winner Davao Agilas (Men’s Team)

Some arrive with established reputations, others as rising contenders who fought through tightly contested brackets, but all teams have earned their place through decisive performances under pressure.

“Earning a chance at the World Final isn’t only about winning games. It’s about proving that the path from local community courts to the international stage is possible through discipline, resilience, and belief in the team,” said Mart Redyn Arellano of Davao Agilas.

During the regional qualifiers, each winning team brought a distinct brand of play shaped by its local basketball culture. Manila's game was fast and calculated with reads and reactions built on years of urban court culture. Cebu brought relentless offensive energy, a high-scoring mentality that thrives in the format's pace. Davao arrived with confidence, grit, and chemistry, turning their regional qualifier into a showcase of total dominance.

Having dominated on home courts, teams must now adapt to a format where scoring output is just as critical as winning, pushing them to balance control with agility in every possession.

“Getting a spot at the World Finals means the world to us. As players from the province, we’ve spent years dreaming of sharing the court with the stars we look up to—the ones who inspire us every day to elevate our game. This opportunity is more than just a tournament; it is a moment we will carry with us forever,” expressed Lorelaine Pulido Gestopa of Coaches Corner.

The Road to the World Stage

“It’s about time to bring the Red Bull Half Court World Finals here. Filipinos have improved and have been preparing for this kind of platform. 3-on-3 Basketball is well represented here in every street and every corner. As long as we can shoot a hoop, Filipinos will play basketball. All I’m saying is, welcome to the Philippines, where basketball is a part of being a Filipino,” said Nathan Heinrich Egea of Filipino Mixtape.

The National Finals marks a defining moment for the competing teams and for the continued rise of streetball in the Philippines. Since 2021, Red Bull Half Court has built a platform that has taken streetball athletes across the globe from local courts to iconic international stages. Two Filipino teams will once again wear their country’s pride as they perform on home court.

“If our team makes it to the World Finals, I would want the world to see that we, Filipinos, not only play with so much heart and passion, but we also play with great sportsmanship and integrity,” expressed LJ Miranda of Uratex Tibay.

“If there’s one thing that I’d want the world to see as they watch Filipino streetball, it’s our heart. Everyone here in the Philippines plays with their whole heart,” shared Mary Angela Abejar Alcos of Gimcuad-Ninz.

Witness Manila, Cebu, and Davao’s best streetballers battle it out at the Red Bull Half Court Philippines National Finals on June 13 at Bigger Pictures, Mandaluyong. Doors open at 3PM. 

Find out which squads will earn the right to carry the Philippine flag to the Red Bull Half Court World Finals in Manila this December. Visit Red Bull Philippines’ official website and social media channels (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok) to learn more.

Sun Life’s Macaulay Club Donates PHP 1.6M to Empower Vulnerable Children

Manila, Philippines (May 2026) – The Macaulay Club, Sun Life Philippines’ club for top-performing financial advisors, reaffirmed its commitment to giving back with a PHP 1.6 million donation to SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas.

 

A handover ceremony was held at the SOS Children’s Village Manila in Muntinlupa City to mark the donation, which will support SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas’ crucial work of providing nurturing homes to abandoned children and supporting disadvantaged families. The contribution was facilitated with the help of Sun Life Financial-Philippines Foundation, Inc. (Sun Life Foundation).

 

Gracing the ceremony were Sun Life Philippines Chief Distribution Officer Al Quitangon, Macaulay Club President Raul Glenn Cuevo, and SOS Children’s Villages Pilipinas National Director Romil Rayos Del Sol.

 

The Macaulay Club is no stranger to supporting noble causes. In recent years, it has contributed to development initiatives including a school nutrition program and the installation of solar-powered lighting systems in remote off-grid schools.

 

“The Sun Life advisors’ promise to help Filipinos build a brighter future extends to the wider community, and this donation embodies their deep commitment to uplifting lives and empowering the vulnerable,” said 

GCash Cracks Down on Online Task Scammers, Intensifies Anti-Fraud Campaign

GCash is intensifying its efforts against task scams and other forms of social engineering fraud as digital scam syndicates become increasingly sophisticated across the country.

 

Task scams often involve fraudsters posing as recruiters, merchants, or online platforms that promise easy earnings in exchange for completing simple online tasks. Victims are later manipulated into transferring funds under the false promise of higher commissions or withdrawals.

 

To help you stay safe, remember:

·       Mind the "Unsolicited" Invite: Professional recruiters typically use official platforms. Be cautious of job offers that arrive unexpectedly via email, SMS, or cold call offers.

·       Credentials Matter: Authentic employers are interested in your skills and will usually ask for a CV or a brief interview. If an offer requires "no experience" and "no resume," it’s best to verify the source.

·       Your Money Should Stay with You: Legitimate jobs pay you for your work. A major red flag is when you are asked to "top up" or “upfront payments” or make a deposit to unlock higher-tier tasks or "premium" commissions.

·       Simple Withdrawal Access: You should be able to access your earnings without hurdles. Be wary of platforms that force you to complete a specific "set" or "cycle" of tasks before allowing you to withdraw your funds.

·       Official Communication Only: Look for emails from company domains (e.g., @companyname.com). Official business is rarely conducted through generic @gmail.com or @yahoo.com addresses.

·       Keep Your Account Private: Your MPIN and One-Time Password (OTP) are your digital keys. GCash will never ask for these via call, SMS, email, or social media.

·       Your GCash account is for your personal use only: Do not let others use your GCash account for any transaction, and do not use the GCash account of other people as well.

·       Trust Your Instincts: If an offer promises unusually high pay for very little effort, it is often a sign to take a step back and investigate further.

 

GCash continues to strengthen its scam and fraud prevention efforts

·       Fraud Monitoring Systems & Proactive Wallet Blocking: Since 2025 to date, GCash reported closing over 3.3 million scam-linked wallets. When a user reports a scam, the receiving wallet is often part of a larger network that GCash can identify and shut down.

·       Coordination and Partnerships with Law Enforcement: GCash continues to work closely with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other regulators to strengthen our ecosystem.

 

If you encounter a suspicious task offer or transaction, reporting it helps protect the whole community. You can reach out through these official channels:

 

GCash Official Support:

·       In-App Help Center: Call via 2882 (toll free) or submit a ticket in-app Help Center or chat with Gigi 24/7 for immediate assistance.

Government Cybercrime Support Channels:

·       PNP-ACG Hotline: (02) 8723 0401 (loc 7491) | 0968 867 4302

·       PNP-ACG Email: messagecenter.acg@pnp.gov.ph

·       CICC Hotline: 1326

·       NBI Cybercrime Division: ccd@nbi.gov.ph

 

We recognize the distress caused by online scams and continue to improve customer protection measures and response protocols amid the rapidly evolving threat landscape.

 

Together, through vigilance, awareness, and ecosystem-wide cooperation, we can help combat online fraud and protect the digital financial community.