Hot Sauce In Manila 2014

[Streetball’s Finest –  9.3.14] – Hot Sauce In Manila 2014

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Flash, Joy and Nicole Ramos, and Hype Streetball official Facebook fanpage

Hey AND Juans, last August 30, 2014, the greatest streetball player in the world – Phillip Champion a.k.a. HOT SAUCE played in his first ever game in the Philippines, held at the Makati Coliseum.  It featured local streetball icons such as Lil Wizard, BallHustla, Bounce, and the rest of the Hype Streetball team against the Open Run Select Team.  A couple of celebrity ballers were also present to hoop with the Hype team, musician/actor/dancer Young JV and PBA player Eliud “Eloy” Poligrates of NLEX.

Hot Sauce doing what he does best - BREAKING ANKLES!

Prior to the actual game, AND1 Philippines’ Flash was part of the organizing team, spearheaded by Hype Streetball’s Nino Ventura and Angelo Moratillo.  Negotiations and discussions with Court Kingz’ Victor Martinez were finalized by late July 2014, and with barely a full month to bring Hot Sauce over to Manila for his historic visit, the local team were able to secure the necessary permits and accommodations.

The team behind Hot Sauce's very first visit to the Philippines, 

shot taken a month before the main game.

Hype Streetball, Court Kingz, and AND1 Ph - taken upon Hot Sauce's arrival in the Philippines.

Hot Sauce with AND1 Philippines' Flash throw up the "One's."

Check out more behind-the-scenes below!

BallHustla, Mr. Hangtime, and Flash - pre-game.

Early bird arrivals for the Filipino crowd that 

came out to watch the Hot Sauce In Manila main game.

Hot Sauce with his Hype Streetball teammates, along with

Victor Martinez of Court Kingz, and Flash of AND1 Ph.

After the main game, whose beneficiary was the Philippine Basketball for Jesus (PBJ), Hot Sauce stayed for almost an hour signing autographs and partook in photo ops with his adoring fans.  The meet-and-greet session ended with a shot of Hot Sauce, the Hype Streetball team, and all of his fans in the coliseum.

Hot Sauce and Victor Martinez flank Mark Mcdowell 

of the Philippine Basketball for Jesus, the game's beneficiary.

A shot of the crowd swarming Hot Sauce for autographs and photo ops after the game.

Hot Sauce with his Filipino fans.

Check out the Hype Streetball (click HERE) and Court Kingz (click HERE) official Facebook fanpages for more pictures and video highlights from the event.  Continue to follow AND1 Philippines in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/and1ph.  And that’s the 411, AND Juans!

Flash of AND1 Philippines, Hot Sauce, and Victor Martinez of Court Kingz

The PBA's own version of Hot Sauce -

Eliud "Eloy" Poligrates with Nino "Lil Wizard" Ventura

Lil Wizard sets up his defender with an array of dribbles.

The Hype Streetball Team pose for posterity 

following a practice session for the main game.

“Hot Sauce” is coming to the Philippines

[Streetball’s Finest –  8.26.14] – “Hot Sauce” is coming to the Philippines

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: "Hype Streetball" and "Hot Sauce" official Facebook fanpages

Great news, AND Juans!  The best streeetball player in the world – Phillip Champion a.k.a. “Hot Sauce” - is coming to Manila this month of August, made possible by Court Kingz and our very own Hype Streetball.

In his first-ever Philippine visit, the sensational streetball legend made famous via the AND1 Mixtape craze back in the early 2000’s will be playing an exhibition game with some of the best local ballers for a good cause.  The beneficiary of the event will be Philippine Basketball for Jesus (PBJ).

Recognize royalty.  

Check out Hot Sauce's craziest plays by clicking the YT link below.

The main game will happen on August 30, 2014, 8:00PM (gates open 7:00pm) at the Makati Coliseum, Makati City.  Tickets for this historic visit can be availed via the official Hype Streetball Facebook fanpage (click HERE), prices are Php 250 (Lower Box) and Php 100 (Upper Box).  Check their page regularly for more information regarding the official tour schedule.

Grab 'em while they're HOT!

For interested ballers, a series of open-run tryouts on the same day will happen by 2:00PM at the Brgy Poblacion court in Makati, facilitated by members of the Hype Streetball team.  Selected players will get to play against Hot Sauce in the main game.

Right after the main game, Hot Sauce will be having a short meet-and-greet session for his fans, so make sure you don’t miss out on one of the biggest streetball events to ever happen locally.  Practice your handles, pull out your AND1 Mixtape gear, lace up your AND1 kicks, and grab your tickets for the “Hot Sauce In Manila” game.

Limited edition shirts will be sold at the venue. 

Find out more via the Hype Streetball FB fanpage.

AND1 Philippines will be officially covering this event, in coordination with Hype Streetball.  Continue to follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/and1ph.  It’s about to go down, AND Juans!

StreetballPh hosts “Hype Streetball” event

[Streetball’s Finest  –  11.5.12] – StreetballPh hosts “Hype Streetball” event

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Hype Streetball, one of the biggest streetball events of the year, was successfully staged yesterday (11AM-5PM, November 4) by StreetballPh at the Asia Pacific College gym in Magallanes.  In conjunction with members of the Flip Ballaz, Nino Ventura Films, HJ Photography, Aqua V, AND1 Philippines, and Apgrapix Ph, this multi-faceted hoop activity was attended by more than a hundred ballers, freestylers and basketball fans.  It was very impressive to note that streetball is alive and kicking, and AND1 gear was used extensively by those who attended the event.

As part of the festivities, Hype Streetball started off with a message from one of the founders of Flip Ballaz - Li’l Wizard.  It was then followed immediately by a basketball clinic participated in mostly by street children that were invited to join the event.  Members of the Flip Ballaz group acted as coaches and mentored the kids in how to do the streetball tricks that they use such as the shamgod, crossover, spin moves, tic-tac, and more.

After the streetball clinic, the players were divided into four groups and open tryouts were conducted  to find out which are the top ballers who will play later that afternoon in the exhibition game versus the Flip Ballaz squad.  After the hour-long tryouts, 10 players were selected from the 100+ participants and were given Hype Streetball t-shirts to be worn during the exhibition match.

Right before the exhibition game, one of the playing coaches for the Hype Streetball Select Team – local celebrity and hip-hop artist Krazy Kyle performed two numbers for the crowd.  Spitting out one electric verse after another, the mercurial rapper promised a good match before suiting up for the opposing team.

"When I say Flip, y'all say Ballaz... FLIP - BALLAZ, FLIP - BALLAZ!

When I say Krazy, y'all say Kyle... KRAZY - KYLE, KRAZY - KYLE!"

The exhibition game between the Hype Streetball Select Team and Flip Ballaz lived up to its billing as the game was tightly contested for three quarters before the crowd favorites pulled away in the 4^th quarter by employing a man-to-man full-court press.  The game ended with a win for Flip Ballaz in a match filled with multiple lead changes, a ton of streetball tricks and highlights, and lots of fun and excitement both for the players and the audience.

Flip Ballaz in a pre-game huddle.

Hype Streetball Select Team with Flip MC (middle), flanked by 

Flash (with cap) and Krazy Kyle (in hoodie) who acted as playing coaches.

After the exhibition game ended, medals and trophies were handed out to the Mythical Five, Sportmanship awardee, and of course, the Most Valuable Player.  One of the biggest surprises came during that time, as Li’l Wizard was serenaded by the crowd with a hearty "Happy  Birthday" song and a cake was presented to him by his girlfriend and family.  Flash of AND1 Philippines also distributed limited edition AND1 Philippines baller bands to everyone who wore AND1 gear during the event.

Flip Ballaz pose with the top ballers - Mythical Five, Sportsmanship Award, 

and the Most Valuable Player (middle).

Nino "Li'l Wizard" Ventura smiles during his birthday surprise.

Players in AND1 gear sport the limited edition 

AND1 Philippines baller bands distributed by Flash.

Hype Streetball ended with an exhibition from top freestylers who busted out the craziest tricks and combinations of streetball moves that drew “Ooohs” and “Aaahs” from everyone who watched the skills showcase.

AND1 Philippines would like to thank StreetballPh for inviting us over to cover their event.  Visit and “Like” their official Facebook page by clicking HERE.  Check out more images from the event at the AND1 Ph FB photo albums - (redirected to the AND1 Ph FB “Hype Streetball event” photo album).

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for your regular local updates and international AND1 news.  And that’s the 411, AND Juan!

Hype Streetball event

[Streetball’s Finest  –  10.19.12] – Hype Streetball event

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Nino Ventura / Li’l Wizard / StreetballPh (via Facebook)

Hey And Juans, mark your calendars for one of the biggest streetball events this year.  On November 4 (Sunday), Hype Streetball will happen at the Asia Pacific College gym (11^th floor), and will feature the following:

• Basketball clinic
• Open tryouts / Friendly games (get to play with local streetball personalities)
• Freestyle exhibition

This event will be for a good cause as well, as it also aims to teach some invited street children how to play and enjoy the sport of basketball.  Gates will open at 11AM and will most likely run until late in the afternoon. 

Check out the Youtube link below for the teaser trailer:

Hype Streetball is open to all boys and girls, regardless of age group and was conceptualized by the pointman of local streetball group Flip Ballaz – Nino “Li’l Wizard” Ventura.  For those who are interested to join, click this link to find out how to register.

AND1 Philippines will be on-site to cover this event and document the different side events in conjunction with Nino Ventura Films.  Visit and “Like” the official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/streetballphcommunity) for the latest news and updates.  

Also, please don’t forget to follow us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph) for your regular local updates and international AND1 news.  And that’s the 411, AND Juan!

Some promotional art from StreetballPh.