MANILA, Philippines - On June 8, the FilOil Flying V Arena played host to the inaugural Master Game Face All Star Basketball Challenge. Drawing from a talent pool that included nine NCAA teams and eight UAAP teams, the Master Game Face All Star Challenge was undoubtedly the summer’s most talent laden collegiate basketball game. Ran in collaboration with the Filoil Flying V Preseason tournament, the Master Game Face Challenge was the culminating event for tournament’s elimination round. The game showcased the homecoming of two collegiate basketball legends from the UAAP and the NCAA as well as current Master Facial Wash brand ambassadors - Ateneo’s Chris Tiu and San Beda’s Borgie Hermida as coaches of their respective teams.
Although Team Chris Tiu was heavily favored; bannered by Blue Eagle Kiefer Ravena, UST’s Jeric Teng and Green Archer Jeron Teng — it was Team Borgie Herimda that prevailed, edging Team Chris in an 89-88 thriller.
Bannered by two time UAAP MVP and NU player Bobby Ray Parks, Team Borgie went on a late run with Parks scoring six of his side’s last 11 points.
“It’s basketball, it’s competitive. We really wanted to win. It’s a good thing we stepped up,†said Parks in the post-game interview.
Team Borgie rallied back in the second half with a stellar performance by RR Garcia. In the decisive seconds of the fourth quarter, Garcia stole the ball from reigning Rookie of the Year Jeron Teng, and found Parks for a game winning lay-up.
With seconds ticking off the game clock, Ravena inbounded to Jeron Teng, who kicked the ball out to Karim for a mid range jumper. But at the end, it was Mbe that saved the game for Team Borgie as he emphatically blocked Abdul, sealing the come-from-behind win for his squad.
After more than 5,000 votes cast Team Chris had a starting lineup of Kiefer Ravena (ADMU), Juami Tiongson (ADMU), Jeron Teng (DLSU), Aljon Mariano (UST) and Karim Abdul (UST). Team Borgie started with San Beda players Baser Amer, Ola Adeogun and Rome De La Rosa, who was joined by Parks and UP’s Andrei Paras.
Aside from the starting lineup, Chris and Borgie also selected 13 reserves each. Team Chris’ reserve corps was headlined by UST’s Jeric Teng who relived his younger brother Jeron at the small forward position. The Master Game Face Challenge also gave a glimpse on what it would look like if archrivals Ateneo and De La Salle Players — Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng were in one team and if the two Teng brothers played together. Team Chris also included two of the UAAP’s most intriguing first year players with La Salle’s Kib Montalbo and Ateneo’s Jerie Pinggoy. Likewise, Team Borgie’s reserve team featured former UAAP MVP RR Garcia and San Beda’s Anthony Semerad as well Green Archer transferee, Joseph Marata who now plays for UP.
“It was my first time to coach, and I’m glad we won,†said Hermida, who has won several titles with the San Beda Red Lions.
“Coaching all these superstars is a joy and a great honor,†said Tiu.
At games end, Kiefer Ravena won the Greenwich Favorite Ng Barkada Award by receiving the most online votes via Twitter, while Garcia got MVP honors for scoring a game-high 22 points and sparking the game-winning run.
“As the biggest face care brand for men, it only makes sense for Master to have an activity on the biggest sport in the country. We are very delighted to partner with Filoil as they are actually the biggest pre season collegiate basketball cup in the country†added Jonathan Pua, brand manager of Master.