Philippine Navy earns trips to China for Kings of Kings Basketball Challenge

The Philippine Navy basketball team with Go For Gold head Jeremy Randell Go. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines– Philippine Navy Sea Lions earned a ticket to the Kings of Kings Basketball Challenge main tournament in Shanghai, China after ruling the Manila leg at Taft Food by the Court recently.

The Go for Gold Philippines-backed Sea Lions overcome Singson’s Demigods, which featured several imports and players from the MPBL, in the finals of the five-on-five, race-to-21 streetball style of competition.

The Philippine Navy team will don the country’s colors in the main challenge in Shanghai, where they will face teams from China, United States, Russia and Europe from August 8-11.

“We didn’t expect to win. From the star, our plan was to use the tournament to gain experience and as tuneup for the AFP-PNP-PCG Olympics,’’ said Philippine Navy Sea Lions head coach Sn2 Valiant Pera PN.

“Aside from the fact that they were big, most of them played in the big leagues. We just stuck to our gameplan and tried our best,’’ added Pera.

Go for Gold Pilipinas, which is also backing a number of national athletes, is delighted to throw its support behind the Sea Lions.

“We are happy to support our men and women in the armed forces. Their sacrifice inspires us and we want to help them in our small way,’’ said Go for Gold Philippines godfather Jeremy Go.

Also supporting the team are top Philippine Navy Officials VADM Robert A. Empedrad (Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy), Commodore Adelius S. Bordado AFP (Commander, NIC), CDR Bernardo F. Manarpaac ( Director, DCSS) and LCDR Reimon T. Retaga PN (Officer In Charge, PN Sea Lions Team).