NBA 2k25 APAC Invitational returns to Manila

NBA 2k25 APAC Invitational returns to Manila

The NBA 2K25 APAC Invitational is making a highly anticipated return to Manila, bringing together Filipinos’ two great passions: basketball and video gaming. This exciting event will take place at the Mall of Asia Music Hall on November 16 and 17, 2024, and promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent and competition.

On the first day, attendees will be treated to the all-Filipino Semifinals #1, a best-of-three series between LGE Agila and LGE Eagles. The second semifinals match will feature an intense showdown between Australia and New Zealand’s top teams, Lock Up and NO WAY OUT, in another best-of-three series. With such high stakes, fans can expect electrifying gameplay and fierce rivalries.

NBA Philippines has graciously provided us with an exclusive interview opportunity with the two foreign teams, Team Lock Up and Team NO WAY OUT. In our conversation with representatives from both teams, we gained valuable insights into their strategies, preparations, and thoughts on competing in the APAC Invitational.

Each player shared their unique perspectives and experiences, offering a glimpse into the dedication and hard work required to compete at this level. Their passion for the game and commitment to excellence were evident throughout the discussion.

Manu:

Q: Esports is not the first thing that comes to mind when you say about New Zealand. Supposed to be rugby and other things. But being one of the best Kiwi Esports athletes, how much are you determined to highlight New Zealand as an Esports country and as the Esports scene?

A: It’s definitely getting bigger, it’s definitely growing. Five or six years ago, I think the scene was small, we only played a couple of games. But now the Esports as a whole is getting a whole lot bigger, especially in 2K. We have a team going to eFIBA in a couple of weeks. So yeah, it’s growing.

Q: So building on that, you’ll be returning in a couple of weeks for eFIBA Season 3. What can we expect, not just from you, but the entire team of the e-Blacks in the upcoming World Finals?

A: I think they got a lot of confidence out of last year. Obviously, I didn’t go last year, but I think the other four have built a lot of confidence over the last year and have been able to go away to Sweden as a group. So we’ve been able to play as a team and we should be able to get some good results.

Q: Adding to that, any predictions for tomorrow?

A: No, no predictions.

RealHvzn

Q: Coming off a spectacular season from NBL Oz Gaming and NBA 2K League, how will you carry your momentum now that you’re representing No Way Out in the APAC Invitationals?

A: Just going to treat it the same way as the 2K League, I guess. Prepare well, see what the other teams are doing, and just show up on the day with a good mentality and hopefully win.

Q: Your story is incredible, having a day job in a horse racing track and just becoming a star in the 2K scene. Not just in Australia, but in the 2K League too. What makes you change your job from being an actual worker to an esports athlete?

A: Just opportunity, I guess. When you have the opportunity to do something that not everyone will be able to do or something that’s not seen as a “real job,” I feel like you have to take that. There’s always going to be a real job to get back to, so I think it’d be silly not to take the chance to do something that not many people are able to do.

Q: How excited are you about your upcoming match tomorrow?

A: Very excited. I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now. I’m very prepared.

Milo

Q: How much does it mean to you to represent Australia, but the rest of the APAC region, when you’re selected in the 2K Draft in 2021?

A: It was an incredible feeling. Being the first Australian drafted and not being able to feel that emotions and the drive when it happened. It was an incredible feeling to be able to represent Australia. Just like the Olympics, every aspect of the sport, representing your own country is a great feeling. It’s something to be proud of and enjoy every second of it.

Q: You are potentially going head-to-head with rivals No Way Out, but this time in the APAC Invitational. The last time you guys met was in October, which resulted in the defeat. How confident are you now in your chances of having a close win against Team No Way Out?

We’re confident. Anything can happen on the day. I’m friends with the NWO boys. They’re great guys, great players, so anything can happen on the day. Whatever happens, an Australian team will make the final and see if we can come out on top.

Q: How big is NBA 2K in Australia?

A: It started slow and now it’s actually growing. It’s one of the biggest countries playing NBA 2K in the world. Slowly getting the numbers up. More players in the competitive scene. A lot of the casuals slowly moving over into the competitive aspect. So we’re trying to grow the region in that aspect. We’re just trying to get bigger and bigger.

Q: In that regard, can you say that the grassroots players, the young kids, are now getting more into 2K than just any traditional esports?

A: It’s slowly getting there. I feel like the new team, NBL Oz Gaming, promoted a lot of players who wanted to make the league and started the grassroots at the Melbourne tournaments. With NBL coming into the 2K League, it was a big aspect of growth for our region.

Baldinho

Q: Last time you were here in APAC Invitational, you became the best team in town. You basically won it. Just like we discussed, you came from here, you went to Quezon City, and you changed on the spot and you took it all. However, this time you’re representing Team Lock Up. And you will go against your former team. How excited are you or challenged in facing your once teammates?

A: I’m very excited. We’re all close friends regardless of what team you play on. We all know each other inside and out. It’ll be fun to hopefully see some fireworks. Whichever team wins out of us can be rooting for our boys to bring it home. But yeah, it’ll be a lot of fun to go up against my former team.

Q: Now going for your two-peat with a new team, how do you like your new squad’s chances against your old squad?

A: I like our chances. We’ve been preparing as best as we can. And given the delay and the fact that neither team is used to it, anything can happen on the day. As you saw last year, we lost, got another chance and made the most of it. So anything can happen. We just got to stay calm, composed, and do our best.

Q: Anybody can answer. How do you guys feel the current level of competition in NBA 2K in the APAC region? Not just in Australia, but you’ve been playing also regionally. How do you think it was from last year to this year? The growth, intensity, and the skill level?

Baldinho: As the competitive scene in ANZ started to grow, seeing these three guys and Jack make the league has only broadened everyone’s horizons. Having NBL Oz as a tournament gave more people an opportunity to play on stage and in person. So as people start to see that there are opportunities out there to go for what you really want to do, it’s just getting bigger and bigger.

Q: Just to add again, how do you feel is the future of NBA 2K? Because we had the NBL Oz, and we had the NBA eDraft. Do you see it expanding even locally or maybe in Asia as the Asia Super League?

Baldinho: Obviously, with New Zealand having an esports team, our hope is eventually Australia will eventually participate as well. Obviously, being hosted in the Philippines, there are going to be teams from Southeast Asia here already. Hopefully, Australia will follow suit and get involved as well. But obviously, from a region, it’s only getting bigger. You know, saying Philippines and Indonesia compete for a spot in the World Cup. Obviously, New Zealand’s already there as well. There’s only growth out there.

Q: This is just something trivial. Is there anything you would like to do tomorrow in the tournament that will be your trademark or something that will happen? A signature move that you want to pull off?

Baldinho: I think for Manu and myself, we’re loud and like to get up and make some noise and try to get in the opposition’s heads. Being on other sides of the table this time around will be a fun little chess match, I think. Just being able to talk a little bit of trash to each other. It’s all love at the end of the day, but during the head of the moment, we’ll say some stuff to try and ruffle each other. Then at the end of the day, we’ll shake hands and be friends after.

Q: Any final message to your fans for tomorrow or to your opponents coming up?

Milo: I just want to say good luck to everyone. Appreciate the Philippines for hosting this amazing tournament through the NBA 2K League. Whoever comes out on top deserves it. Hopefully, everyone has a good day and has some fun at the end of the day. Good luck everyone.

As the event draws near, excitement is building among fans and participants alike. The NBA 2K25 APAC Invitational in Manila is set to be a landmark event, celebrating the fusion of basketball and video gaming culture