The iconic Tenement Famous Court in Taguig City is now clad with OkBet’s signature red, blue, and yellow as the country’s rising sports entertainment platform unveils a massive basketball court mural, signifying the fresh partnership with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and their common mission to further support aspiring Filipino athletes and revitalize the competitive scene in these trying times.
In collaboration with the world-class talents of Tenement Visual Artists, OKBet and MPBL chose the said court as the canvas for the awe-inspiring artwork because of the rich history behind it.
The basketball court surrounded by varying shades of gray and dilapidated concrete is not so easy on the eyes at first glance. But the site means a lot to the people living in the area, especially to those who play the sport to temporarily get away from life’s problems.
With their feet on the court and their eyes on the ball, all of their troubles seem to fade into the thrill of a five-on-five game. More than just a pastime activity or a casual hobby, street basketball acts as somewhat of a religion that binds the community and helps them get through each day. Strangers become teammates, teammates become friends, and friends become a part of a growing family woven together by a sport so many of us Filipinos enjoy.
Several other pieces of urban art can be seen all over the area, serving as a testament to that unparalleled love and passion for the baseball game. In recent years, they have drawn much-deserved attention from both local and international media. In fact, the American international sports channel Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) launched a mini-documentary about the unlikely landmark.
Released just a few weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck the country in the year 2020, the short feature tells the stories of residents living in the seven-story housing project that surrounds the basketball court. National Basketball Association (NBA) star Jordan Clarkson, who is currently the only player in the league of Filipino heritage, lent his voice to the narration.
Such stories of hope, resiliency, and inspiration fuel OKBet, even more, to give back to the Filipino community, especially those coming from the most marginalized sectors around the country. And the faces behind these stories are what made the local sports entertainment company forge a monumental deal with the regional basketball league.
Under their partnership, the two brands are able to follow through on their shared promise to support the dreams of home-grown athletes, especially now that we are still recovering from the economic and public health crisis brought by the pandemic. While restrictions continue to ease off in the Philippines, efforts such as this must be exerted to bring back even more life to the local sports scene.
Through OKBet’s continuous initiatives rooted in our rich culture, history, and identity as a proud people, the game-changer in the country’s sports entertainment industry strives to share the WINS with every Juan.
