Julian “PHI_SOCIAL” Mallillin of the LGE Eagles. Media asset credit: NBA 2K League APAC Invitational presented by CignalMANILA, Philippines – Philippine squad LGE Eagles failed to defend their home turf against Australia and New Zealand-based team No Way Out in the grand finals of the NBA 2K League (2KL) APAC Invitational, conceding the title on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Still, it was a respectable silver medal finish for the Eagles, outlasting fellow Pinoy team LGE Agila and foreign squad Team Lock Up from Australia and New Zealand in the tilt which was hosted by the Philippines for the second consecutive year.

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For Julian “PHI_Social” Mallillin, the title-series loss would serve a lesson for the team.

“The series (we) played tonight was very different (from yesterday) but in spite of the result, this tournament was a big growth experience for our team,” he said.

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For the foreigners' part, the Team No Way Out, which clinched back-to-back championships at the Asia-Pacific tournament, couldn't be happier, said Solomona “Monuhh” Faitaua-Nanai.

"Feels good to be back-to-back APAC Invitational champions. Not many people get to play in front of a big crowd and get out of the room and play so it's an honor to come out to events like this," Monuhh expressed.

Harry Spierings led the visitors to victory, listing 28 and 23 points during the two-game sweep, also clinching Player of the Game honors.

A part of the event was a 3v3 celebrity show match featuring a combination of current and former professional players, sports personalities, and NBA 2K content creators which was joined by Isaac Go, Margaux Nonato, Gabe Norwood, Vince Velasco, and Francis “UncleKevin2K” Maguliman as well as basketball podcast hosts Jared Dillinger, Gabe Norwood, and Joe Devance.