PASAY – The 2024 NBA 2K League (2KL) APAC Invitational presented by Cignal, the fourth iteration of the league’s Asia-Pacific invitational event, was held from Saturday, Nov. 16 – Sunday, Nov. 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. Team NO WAY OUT outlasted LGE Eagles in the best-of-three finals series, sweeping the Eagles to earn their second consecutive title at the regional tournament. The Australia and New Zealand-based team, which consists of team captain Solomona “Monuhh” Faitaua-Nanai, Harry “RealHvzn” Spierings, Dylan “DLaey” Lay, Dylan “Jxhnno-” Johnson, and Aiden “GoldenDunk” Fleming, was awarded with USD 5,000 and the opportunity to compete in the next edition of the APAC Invitational.
This year’s APAC Invitational tournament hosted four teams comprising 20 of the top NBA 2K players from the region, including Laus Group Esports (LGE) Eagles and LGE Agila from the Philippines and Team NO WAY OUT and Team Lock Up from Australia and New Zealand.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, the tournament began with the semifinals, which featured a pair of best-of-three series between LGE Eagles and Team Lock Up followed by Team NO WAY OUT and LGE Agila. LGE Eagles swept their series against Team Lock Up (60-45, 63-53), which saw Lynard Clark “PHI_ZavalCB” Banzon dominate both games for the Philippine representation, while defending APAC Invitational champions Team NO WAY OUT and LGE Agila engaged a tightly contested matchup, which saw the Oceania squad edging out the Philippine contingent, 2-1 (59-67, 52-45, 53-50). During Game 3 between Team NO WAY OUT and LGE Agila, NO WAY OUT small forward Dylan “Jhxnno-” Johnson scored a three-pointer at the buzzer to secure the series win. In the finals, Team NO WAY OUT defended their APAC Invitational title after sweeping the LGE Eagles (52-44, 52-50). NO WAY OUT point guard Harry “RealHvzn” Spierings was named as the Player of the Series after leading his team in scoring in both games and holding off a late game comeback from the Eagles.
As part of the two-day event, fans were treated to a 3v3 celebrity showmatch featuring a combination of current and former professional players, sports personalities, and NBA 2K content creators, including Isaac Go, Margaux Nonato, Gabe Norwood, Vince Velasco, and Francis “UncleKevin2K” Maguliman as well as basketball podcast hosts Jared Dillinger, Gabe Norwood, and Joe Devance. The celebrity tournament culminated in a final between Team Tyler (local professional players Tyler Tio and Renzo Subido and content creator Patrick Sarmiento) and Team Diego (local professional players Diego Dario and Aaron Black and content creator Patrick “HOOPJUNKIE” Edrozo) that witnessed Team Tyler defeat Team Diego, 21-16, in the finals.
Additionally, the 2024 NBA 2K League APAC Invitational mounted various basketball-themed activities throughout the weekend, including interactive booths that tested on-court skills such as shooting, passing, and vertical jump. Fans had the opportunity to take pictures at the official NBA 2K League photobooth and a 360-degree camera station, play NBA 2K25 at gaming kiosks, and purchase the latest hyperlocal collection at the NBA Store Philippines booth.
