Games. Music. Fashion. Drinks. It’s all part of basketball culture, and Hennessy and the NBA have brought that to life.
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Any basketball fan could easily tell you that even when a season, a tournament, or a match ends, the game doesn’t stop when the final buzzer rings. Basketball goes beyond the court, from the outfits players wear to and from arenas, to the music they listen to before playing.
Filipino basketball fans got to enjoy both sides of the game on June 5, Monday, when Hennessy and the NBA’s partnership came to life.
Showcasing how the Game Never Stops, Xylo at the Palace turned into the Hennessy Arena for the night. Passionate basketball fans all came together to enjoy on-court action, off-court culture, and a whole lot more.
“The NBA is more than just a brand of basketball and similar to Hennessy, we are more than just a brand of cognac,” Category Lead for Spirits from Moet Hennessy in Southeast Asia, Gio Robles shared. “So tonight, we are bringing something different to show how we believe that the game goes beyond the court.”
Indeed, the game was about so much more than the court at the Hennessy Arena. Here’s what went down!
Coast to Coast Cocktails
Of course, it wouldn’t be called the Hennessy Arena without some drinks!
To celebrate every basketball fan’s favorite time of the year, the NBA Finals, Hennessy prepared two bars at Xylo at the Palace — the Eastern Conference and Western Conference Bars — each with its own set of unique cocktails inspired by teams from both coasts.
But of course, Hennessy’s bestselling cocktail mixes, the Hennessy Bramble and the Jumpshot Giner, were available for all fans to enjoy on both sides of the Arena.
“The best way to enjoy Hennessy is to enjoy it the way you want to,” Gio Robles told The GAME.
With this in mind, all the cocktails gave everyone a taste of the Hennessy Very Special in a number of different flavors, so fans could each find their own favorite way to enjoy the drink.
The Flavor of Competition
“Who would have thought there would be a basketball tournament inside a nightclub in Metro Manila?” Robles expressed in the middle of all the basketball action at Xylo at the Palace.
Indeed, it was a truly unique experience being able to enjoy Hennessy’s NBA cocktails while watching the action of an exciting 3-on-3 celebrity basketball tournament.
Many familiar faces graced the court at the Hennessy Arena, including sportscaster Mikee Reyes, sneakerhead Echo Del Rio, actor Gab Lagman, and sportscaster and athlete Chelsey Singson.
After an exciting tournament, it was Team Trina, captained by 3v3 Gilas Basketball player Trina Guytingco, that was crowned the champions of the night!
But even with the tournament done and dusted, as the Game Never Stops, the festivities were just getting started.
Off-Court Culture
“The NBA and Hennessy partnership is all about bringing the off-court culture to life,” Robles explained. “People emulate how players dress, the way they walk, the way they play — everything.”
With the mission of bringing the Spirit of the NBA to the Philippines, Hennessy brought many different elements of off-court culture to life in Xylo at the Palace.
Fans got to enjoy post-game musical performances by Curtismith, DJ Ace Ramos, Raket Manila, and DJ Khai Lim, filling the entire space with hip-hop music and dance performances — staples in NBA culture.
But we all know that NBA fans in the Philippines don’t just love watching the games, they love playing, and fans got the chance to shoot some hoops themselves with arcade basketball machines in the Arena!
And of course, one cannot forget how basketball culture now seamlessly intertwines with fashion. Many well-known athletes and celebrities showed up to the party in their best off-court outfits, emulating the fits that NBA players love to show off in the tunnels before and after games.
All in all, it was truly a night to remember. But more than that, it was a new way for fans to experience the same game that they all know and love. Truly, when it comes to basketball, the game goes beyond the hardwood floor. And if you missed this celebration, you’re in luck!
“Just like our slogan, Game Never Stops, we will never stop promoting off-court culture. We are thinking about something bigger in the Philippines, so expect more programs from us here,” Gio shared with The GAME.
How do you celebrate off-court culture?
Images courtesy of Magic Liwanag.
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