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Uratex Dream in action in 3x3 basketball. Handout/Red Bull

Uratex Dream in action in 3x3 basketball.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1728905051663Red Bull Half Court National Finals - Action Shot_01.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Uratex Dream in action in 3x3 basketball. Handout/Red Bull"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Uratex Dream in action in 3x3 basketball. <em>Handout/Red Bull</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Half Court Group and Uratex Dream are set to play for flag and country in New York as they represent the Philippines in the Red Bull Half Court World Final.</div><p>Months after they earned their wings and secured their respective spots in the competition, both teams are ready to put on a show for the global stage.</p><p>Sam Harada, Kaye Pingol, Eunique Chan, and Afril Bernardino of Uratex are challenging for the title of Red Bull 2024 Half Court World Champion for the women&#x27;s division, while Chester Saldua, Matt Salem, Jordan Bartlett, and Gryann Mendoza of Half Court Group comprise the men&#x27;s side. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/28/3x3-uratex-dream-retains-red-bull-ph-crown-1606">READ: Uratex Dream retains Red Bull PH crown</a></div><p>Half Court Group, formerly TNT Triple Giga, has emphasized the importance of staying in shape and anticipating a fast-paced game full of pressure as they go up against the world&#x27;s best.</p><p>&quot;Our outside shooting and speed will always be our main weapons,&quot; said Half Court Group&#x27;s Coach Mau Belen. &quot;In practice, we make sure to improve these two skill sets and use [them] efficiently in order to help us win games.&quot;</p><p>&quot;We are trying to focus on positioning better inside the court, so we&#x27;ll give ourselves a chance to keep the ball alive and maintain an even count on possession against the other teams,&quot; Belen added. </p><p>Half Court Group fell short in last year&#x27;s World Final in Serbia, and Coach Mau stressed that this was still vital in their growth as individuals and as a unit. </p><p>&quot;As a leader I [made] sure that I improved my coaching ability in order to match the high-level competition in the World Final. Learning the game intentionally and intensively has been my promise to myself since the loss against the Dominican Republic last year,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;I hope we as a team have had that chance to evolve and mature on and off the court.&quot;</p><p>She also added how enjoying the sport will also impact the way that they will compete in NY. </p><p>&quot;I constantly emphasize [to them to] enjoy each game and the whole experience because we will never know when we&#x27;ll have this kind of chance again,&quot; she said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1728905127422Red Bull Half Court National Finals - Action Shot_03.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action in the Red Bull National Finals. Handout/Red Bull"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Action in the Red Bull National Finals. <em>Handout/Red Bull</em></span></span></span>Asked about what they expect to be their biggest challenge during the competition, the coach shared: &quot;We have addressed every physical and mental challenge we are about to experience during the tournament, but one thing we can&#x27;t really prepare for is the jetlag [that] the players will have [from] traveling to the other side of the world. This is something we hope wouldn&#x27;t put us at a big disadvantage.&quot;</div><p>Belen also pointed out how their chemistry will be one of the biggest factors for their success. </p><p>&quot;The team has been together for [about] over a year now, so familiarity and chemistry are not really something we&#x27;ve had to cover. But, I&#x27;ve seen a lot of maturity in their game, and it&#x27;s something I&#x27;m excited to see in New York,&quot; said Belen.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/4/6/uratex-falls-to-eventual-champ-in-thailand-3x3-tourney-1511">READ: Uratex falls to eventual champ in Thailand 3x3 tourney</a></div><p>But above all, the most important thing for Belen is how Half Court Group and Uratex Dream will be able to showcase the talent of Filipinos in 3x3 hoops.</p><p>&quot;Looking ahead to the competition, both Philippine representative teams share the enthusiasm for the challenge and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of representing the Philippines in a global street basketball,&quot; Coach Mau said. </p><p>Half Court Group and Uratex Dream will go up against the top streetball teams from 25 countries across the world from October 19 to 20 in New York City, USA.</p><div></div>

<p>Half Court Group and Uratex Dream are set to play for flag and country in New York as they represent the Philippines in the Red Bull Half Court World Final.</p>

Half Court Group and Uratex Dream are set to play for flag and country in New York as they represent the Philippines in the Red Bull Half Court World Final.

Half Court Group, Uratex Dream out for glory in Red Bull Half Court World Final in NY

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Half Court Group, Uratex Dream out for glory in Red Bull Half Court World Final in NY

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 14, 2024 10:00 PM PHT

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