Anta’s Shock The Game 4×4 full-court basketball tournament ended last weekend, and the finals round was filled with on and off-court action.
Last Saturday, October 22, Anta crowned their very first Shock The Game champions after the finals in Gatorade Hoops Center. And in case you haven’t heard, Shock The Game is the next big thing in Filipino basketball. It’s a 4-on-4 full-court basketball tournament. Originating in China, it’s the first of its kind here in the Philippines. And its first edition was nothing short of exciting.
If you missed out, don’t worry — The Game’s got you. Here are three of our favorite highlights from the finals round last Saturday.
1. 4-on-4 full-court excitement
Throughout the month, elimination rounds of Shock The Game took place every weekend, leading up to the finals round last Saturday.
In the finals, the top 16 teams from the elimination rounds battled it out to make it to the final four. The top four teams then advanced to the semifinal and final games, where only one team was crowned champions.
The top 16 teams included squads from universities such as Ateneo, UP, CSB, UST, and Adamson University, among others. But only San Beda A and the UP Fighting Maroons made it to the finals.
The final game was one of the most exciting matches of the tournament, especially with the first Manila-edition Shock The Game crown on the line. Ultimately, it was the Fighting Maroons who closed the game as the overall winners.
2. More than just bragging rights
The excitement didn’t stop at the end of the final game—especially for the champions.
Apart from just winning bragging rights from becoming the first-ever Shock The Game Manila champions, the UP Fighting Maroons are also taking home something very special from Anta. Each player gets the limited-edition KT8 ‘Gold Blooded’ pack.
The special Klay Thompson Anta collection, which still has yet to be launched here in the Philippines, was the main prize for the champions of the tournament. And its design is definitely suited for a champ.
3. More than the games
The best part about Shock The Game is how it celebrates Filipino basketball culture—all of it. And in keeping with this, they had a lot more basketball action outside of the main tournament, too. In fact, fans were treated to a dunk contest at the finals.
Another unique aspect of Shock The Game is its unique Filipino streetball element, and this took shape in more than just the games on the court. Throughout the tournament, local DJs played music to match the entire vibe of the tournament.
Aryan Magat, Rammy Bitong, Supmerman, and Lucio Pua were some of the DJs who performed throughout the elimination games throughout the entire tournament. But for the finals, Anta had something extra special in store for all the athletes and fans.
One of the Philippines’ most popular bands, The Itchyworms, capped off the entire event with a live performance at the finals on Saturday night.
Shock The Game’s first-ever 4-on-4 tournament here in Manila has truly been a success. It was a full-on celebration of every element that Filipinos love about basketball: the music, the fashion, the energy, and of course, the hoops.
But if you missed out on all the action, worry not. Anta has a lot more planned for Shock The Game in the near future, as they hope to instill this new, exciting format into Filipino basketball culture.
Images courtesy of ANTA.
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