Sports

ArenaPlus, the 24/7 online sports betting app and official sportsbook partner of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), helped create a fun and unforgettable FIBA experience for Filipino basketball fans when the country hosted the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Besides providing sports fans the chance to actively participate in the basketball competitions in Manila, Japan and Indonesia through a digital platform, the leading sports betting company in the country also kept fans engaged on the ground  with multiple activities that added fun and entertainment to the momentous event that wrapped Manila in a festive atmosphere for almost three weeks.

ArenaPlus activated booths at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena from August 25 to September 10, 2023 that enabled fans to experience a variety of entertaining activities and win premium prizes. The brand also participated in the FIBA Fan Zone at the MOA Music Hall where fans and mall goers were treated to fun competitions, a variety of prizes and groovy dance performances by the ArenaPlus girl group, the “Astig Girls”. NBA legends and FIBA World Cup Global Ambassadors Pau Gasol, Luis Scola, and Carmelo Antony lent their celebrity presence to the fan zone and created an unforgettable moment for all.

ArenaPlus also used the event as the perfect platform to introduce its newest and official brand ambassador, NBA superstar Jordan Clarkson, who rocked Manila with his shoot-the-lights-out performance in Gilas Pilipinas’ last game against China.

ArenaPlus fully supported the country’s national basketball team, GILAS Pilipinas, in the World Cup and will continue to do so as it signed a 2-year partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and GILAS Pilipinas to reaffirm its ongoing commitment and support for sports.

“As the official sportsbook partner of FIBA, ArenaPlus is fully committed in making the FIBA Basketball World Cup memorable for every Filipino basketball fan. The brand wholeheartedly supported the success of the said activity to make it as  enjoyable as possible and truly cherished by Filipinos. ArenaPlus stands firm in its mission to support sports and make sports events more fun and enjoyable, anytime and anywhere,” said Jasper Vicencio, Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc. president.

The Denver Nuggets, bolstered by the remarkable performance of their center Nikola Jokic, have surged ahead in their NBA playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, taking a decisive 2-0 lead. Jokic, the reigning MVP, showcased his phenomenal skills and court presence to steer the Nuggets to victory in the second match of the series.

In a breathtaking display of offensive prowess, Jokic registered 31 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists on Sunday night, ensuring the Nuggets’ 116-98 triumph over the Suns. The Serbian big man’s extraordinary performance was instrumental in the team’s success, as they managed to sustain their momentum from the first game.

In addition to Jokic’s remarkable showing, the Nuggets were further strengthened by a balanced contribution from their roster. Will Barton and Aaron Gordon chipped in with 20 and 19 points, respectively, while Monte Morris added 11 points and four assists from the bench. Denver’s collective performance enabled them to take control of the game and maintain a comfortable lead throughout.

The Suns, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with the Nuggets’ relentless offensive onslaught. Despite a commendable effort from Devin Booker, who contributed 24 points and six assists, and Deandre Ayton’s double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, the Suns were unable to close the gap.

Now facing a considerable deficit in the series, the Suns must regroup and strategize as they look to bounce back in Game 3, which will take place on Wednesday night. The Nuggets, meanwhile, will aim to capitalize on their current advantage and inch closer to advancing in the playoffs.

Whoa, hold on to your seats, basketball fans! The excitement just got multiplied with the latest development in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Brace yourselves for a whole new level of thrill and entertainment as ArenaPlus, the newest online entertainment offering of Total Gamezone Xtreme Incorporated (TGXI), signed a sponsorship deal with the PBA, Asia’s first-ever professional basketball league.

ArenaPlus is now the Official Sports Entertainment Gateway of the PBA, and it aims to take PBA fans’ entertainment experience to the next level with more fun, excitement, and deep involvement. With a multiple-year sponsorship, ArenaPlus will have brand presence not only in playing venues of regular PBA 5×5 games but also in PBA3x3 games and special events like the PBA Draft, All-Star Week, Media Day, and the PBA On Tour, among others. The brand will also have a solid presence in the league’s social media accounts and digital platforms.

What’s more, the signing ceremony held in early April at the PBA Office in Quezon City made the announcement of ArenaPlus’ first-ever athlete endorser, none other than popular Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel shooting guard Scottie Thompson. Known for his exciting brand of play and huge impact on the fans, Thompson was selected by the brand to add more excitement and level up the fun and entertainment of the PBA.

Thompson’s impressive list of accolades, including the Best Player of the 2021 PBA Governor’s Cup Conference and Mythical Team Member, justifies his selection as ArenaPlus’ athlete endorser. Moreover, Thompson’s recognition as the Second Best Player in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioners’ Cup on January 2023 further solidifies his position as one of the PBA’s most sought-after players.

This partnership is a significant milestone for the PBA, and the signing ceremony was attended by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA Marketing Director Jo Francisco, DigiPlus President Andy Tsui, and TGXI President Jasper Vicencio.

TGXI President Jasper Vicencio expressed his excitement and eagerness to introduce ArenaPlus to PBA and Filipino fans, and he believes that ArenaPlus can bring more fun and entertainment to the viewing experience. DigiPlus President Andy Tsui, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude to the PBA for allowing DigiPlus to introduce its new brand and assured continued support for this source of great entertainment for Filipinos.

So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate basketball experience with ArenaPlus!

In a letter to UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez, Coach Bo Perasol, UP Diliman’s Program Director for Basketball Perasol endorsed the integration of the UP Diliman Basketball program from high school to college and the appointment of Goldwin Monteverde as concurrent coach of both the seniors and juniors’ program.

In his first year as head coach, Monteverde steered the Fighting Maroons to their first UAAP seniors’ basketball title in 36 years. Last season, he led the Fighting Maroons to a second straight finals appearance.

Monteverde, a champion high school basketball coach when he steered the NU Bullpups to back-to-back UAAP crowns and numerous championships in the NBTC National Finals, PSSBC, MMBL, and Palarong Pambansa, also led NS-NU to gold in 2018 and 2019 ASEAN School Games.

Monteverde, or “Coach Gold”, is also known for producing blue-chip recruits like Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao, Harold Alarcon and Terrence Fortea, among others.

“To ensure the sustainability of the program, especially now that UP’s aspirations are high, is to have an integrated and well-coordinated basketball program from high school to college,” Perasol said in his letter.

“We want to recruit players from around the country that will excel not only in basketball but will also survive the rigors of UPIS academic demand. Those young players, with the proper training program and exposure, will make sure our program in the UPMBT continues,” he added.

Perasol also assured the newly installed UP President that the UP MBT Management Team will guarantee ample support to its high school squad to make it successful like its seniors’ counterpart, from recruitment and screening, academic support and tutorials, strength and conditioning, skills training, team building, basketball data analytics, improvement of training facilities, among others.

“We hope to replicate our experience in the seniors’ program and elevate the juniors’ program to become more competitive and hopefully to be back in the final four and aim for championship,” Perasol said.

Perasol added that even the current Juniors’ coach, Paolo Mendoza, on his consultation meeting last year also “yearns for such change and supports the integration and the direction of UP’s basketball program in Diliman.”

Coach Bo further emphasized that the success of the juniors’ basketball program will bring more attention and support to other UPIS sports programs like volleyball, swimming, and athletics, among others, and expand assistance from the broader UP alumni community.

Once UP Administration gives its go-signal for the integration of UP Diliman’s basketball program, Perasol said it would serve as a big boost for the continued success of the UP Men’s Basketball Team and for the UPIS Juniors Fighting Maroons, so there’s nowhere to go but up.