Winners of Peak contest

As expected, we were deluged with entries for our Peak Sports’ Tony Parker contest.  It was another successful reach-out to our readers on both print and social media.  But we could only choose 11 winners.  The correct answers to our four questions are:  Parker’s mother Pamela Firestone is from the Netherlands.  Parker was born in Belgium.  His two sons are Josh and Liam.  And he has won four NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs.  Our 11 winners are:

Grand prize (TP signature shoe, Peak basketball and Peak drawstring backsack) winner is Eugenio Matias, 36, tailor and apron maker from No. 750-A Noli Agno Street, Malate.  In his essay, Matias wrote:  “TP was in Peak form during the FIBA Qlympic Qualifying Tournament from the time the French national team arrived at NAIA.  He immediately felt the warm hospitality of the Filipinos.  During the OQT from the first game to the final, TP didn’t disappoint his Filipino fans as he showed why he is one of the best basketball players in the world.  Lastly, I think another reason why TP was at his Peak was because he felt like a rockstar here in the Philippines.”

We chose five winners to each receive a Peak basketball shoe, Peak basketball and Peak drawstring backsack.  They are:

• John Kenneth Rodrigue Balilia, 18, Third Year computer engineering student at Bulacan State University from Pulo, San Rafael, Bulacan.  “TP was in Peak form in Manila because he wanted to show his Filipino fans his passing, dribbling and shooting skills.  He also promoted Peak and gave the opportunity for it to grow and become a global brand.  TP believes Peak is the power of simply to play.”

• Charles Joseph Sevilla, 18, senior high school student from Lot 28, Block 7, Karanglan Village, Sico 1st, San Juan, Batangas.  “Representing something bigger than oneself is a huge honor for athletes.  In TP’s case, donning Les Bleus for the last time was his motivation to play in Peak form. He didn’t want to go out with a loss. TP displayed Passion not just for basketball but also for his country.  TP manifested Excellence inside the court.  TP demonstrated Attitude as he epitomized the true essence of sports which is sportsmanship and camaraderie.  Lastly, TP proved his Knowledge in the sport, knowing you can’t win by yourself and paved the way for France to win the tournament.  At the end of the day, the acronym PEAK was instilled by TP as his basketball shoe reflected his love for the game.”

• Mariz Moral, 20, Architecture student, Polytechnic University of the Philippines from No. 322 Poblacion, Noveleta, Cavite.  “I think TP was in Peak form because he was able to lead his team to the OQT title for the last ticket to Rio which sadly was his last appearance for the French team.”

• Ferdin Sanchez, 17, Economics student, UP from Unit 9 N-O, Narra Tower, Peninsula Gardens, Paco, Manila.  “As soon as the news broke out that the Philippines, a country where basketball is considered a religion, would be hosting the FIBA OQT, everyone was excited to witness history unfold as no other than TP himself was set to play here.  As expected, TP showed why he was worth all the hype, dazzling the crowd with his astute playmaking, sharpshooting.”

• Raymond Gerardo Piczon, 51, Househusband from Block 6, Lot 19, Azienda Firenze, Barangay Maghaway, Lawaan, Talisay, Cebu. “Parker was in his last tour of duty with France.  As the designated leader of the team, he had to be mentally, physically and emotionally sharp in order to be in tip-top form to be competitive.  His wife who was about to give birth that time permitted him to go with the marching order ‘to bring home nothing but the gold medal.’”

The last five winners will receive a Peak basketball and Peak drawstring backsack.  They are:

• Mariel Lucas, 22, Student/Reviewee for CPA Board Exams from No. 1399 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.  “TP was in his usual Peak form during the FIBA OQT because of his burning passion and desire to grab one last ticket to Rio and his last hurrah to represent his country.”

• R-Cee Mateo, 17, Second Year Communications student, University of the Assumption from No. 21 Purok 5, San Carlos, Mexico, Pampanga.  “I think why TP was in Peak form was because he wanted to play in the Olympics one last time. I remember he once said he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to play for his country.  Now, he’s in the Olympics playing against the best teams in the world.”

• Alvin Nobelo, 35, production technician from Block 36, Lot 1, Grand Acacia Grove Subdivision, Banay-Banay, Cabuyao City, Laguna. “When TP heard that the OQT would be held in Manila, he was excited and fired up because the world knows our country is basketball-crazy.  He was ready to show the world that he is always at the Peak of his game.  Most of all, he was raring to show how Peak can display his quickness and speed.”

• Irene Benito, 25, Specialist at JP Morgan Chase and Co. from No. 82E Lantana St., Immaculate Concepcion, Quezon City.  “TP was in Peak form last FIBA OQT because he wanted to help his team qualify for the Olympics.  Prior to the OQT, he dropped a hint that he would bid adieu to Les Bleus after Rio.  For this goal to happen and ensure that his French basketball legacy is secure, it was a must to go out and play his best against some of the best aspiring national teams to qualify for Rio.”

• Julian Patrick Suarez, 28, IT Project Manager from No. 403 Lawin Street, Gatchalian Subdivision, Las Pinas.  “Tony confirmed this would be his last international appearance for Les Bleus so it drove him to maintain Peak condition during the OQT. When Gilas battled France, the way we cheered for our team and against theirs surely inspired him to put on a show and teach Gilas how to compete at the international level.”

We will inform the winners when they may pick up their prizes as we are now coordinating with Peak to deliver the right sizes of the shoes.  Congratulations to the lucky 11 winners!