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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Jordan Brand) |
The concrete courts of Tondo might be hard, but the game play went harder when the country’s top streetball talent are gathered to one place and battle it out to be crowned DAYO23 streetball champions — a celebration of streetball at its most competitive, most creative, and most alive. Every team, locals and “dayo” alike, stepped onto the court with something to prove and flex a palpable sense of hometown pride. Nothing is left out there.
Earlier this year, floods left the Barangay Paraiso court unplayable. A space that had long been central to the community fell silent. Last June 6-7, 2026, it came back to life, delivering some of the best streetball culture on and off court as part of the third annual DAYO23 Streetball Invitational tournament. 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. And as the crowds filled the stands with team flags, Michael Jordan posters, and DAYO23 merch which is exactly what it felt, personal and important. 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 ultimately took out the championship. Both made it an official 3-peat, 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 previous 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 rose to the top, coming back from a 0-8 start to pull the rug from under Hoop Jeep Aguilas, 24-21. Hustle won a tightly contested match that wowed the crowd, reinforcing 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, earning recognition as the standout players of DAYO23. 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 — 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 also 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.
