THE concrete courts of Tondo turned into the battle ground for some of the country’s top streetball talent, all fighting for the title as DAYO23 champions.
A celebration of streetball at its most competitive, most creative, and most alive, the third edition of the DAYO23 tournament gathered teams, locals and “dayo” alike, each one with something to prove and flex a palpable sense of hometown pride.
Biggest streetball stage
Earlier this year, floods left the Barangay Paraiso court unplayable. A space that had long been central to the community fell silent. Last weekend, it came back to life, delivering the best streetball culture on and off court.
Restored by Jordan Brand for the community, the court once again became the stage for the kind of basketball that defines Pinoy basketball: fast, fearless, and deeply personal.
After 20 hours of fierce streetball competition over two days, Chase Tower Runs in the men’s division and Team Hustle in the women’s division took the championship to complete 3-peats, winning back-to-back-to-back since the tournaments’ inception in 2023.
Carl Tamayo sealed the win for Chase Tower Runs, 23-18, by hitting both the game-winning two points and a three pointer to break an 18-all tie against Tikas Kapampangan – taking a cue from JD Cagulangan who also scored the game-winner last year.
In the women’s division, Team Hustle came back from a 0-8 start to pull the rug from under Hoop Jeep Aguilas, 24-21. Hustle won a tightly contested match reinforced the growing impact and visibility of women’s streetball in the Philippines.
The First Five, the tournament’s top five performers selected by officials and based on in-game performance, were also named.
The Women’s top 5 players were Tantoy Ferrer, Beth Peitingil, Angel Surada, Mar Prado and Ali Lim. For the men’s side, the top players of the tournament were Mark Belmonte, Harold Alarcon, Greg Cunanan, Genmar Bragais and Carl Tamayo.
Beyond the final scores, DAYO23 was also defined by what happened between games or on the side lines, the moments that continue to shape basketball culture in Manila. Big-name Nike athletes such as Paul Lee, Ricci Rivero, Evan Nelle, Vanie Gandler, Kiefer Ravena, and DAYO23 2025 Champion, JD Cagulangan were on the sidelines to see the action, play ball with local kids and connect with the community.
Outside the main court, DAYO23 rocked with the energy of locals and visiting ballers taking turns shooting baskets at Jeepney by Hoopjeep, playing 1-on-1 mini games and doing shoot out challenges with the pros.
Music was an important element on the scene with DJs Butta B and Sky Dominique hyping up the action. Performances from Third Flo and Nik Makino – homegrown Tondo artists back in their homecourt - punctuated the cross section of streetball and culture that DAYO23 represents.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
