Chris Matthews a.k.a. 'Lethal Shooter,' recently visited the Philippines. He is the world's most sought after shooting coach and a global basketball phenomenon.
Red Bull Philippines joined Matthews as he made history as the first person to take a shot from the rooftop of The Tenement in Taguig, bringing his signature creativity, precision and flair to a landmark moment that celebrates the Philippines' deep-rooted love for basketball.
"In the Philippines, the love and the passion just go really deep in the blood. People and the passion here is, to me, number one," said Matthews about the rich basketball culture in the country. "It's true love here for the game."
The rooftop shoot, a daring first for Tenement basketball court, highlights Matthews' flair for blending precision with skill. He pushed the boundaries higher, capturing the respect and delight of the local basketball community.
"You know, my entire life, I saw this amazing court online. I saw the legendary people- Michael Jordan, Kobe, Luka- everybody had a mural here," Matthews shared. "So to shoot from the roof and to make a shot and to have a mural here, is a dream come true. It's like basketball heaven for me."
To achieve his historic rooftop shoot, Matthews had to use a specific technique, given his height and distance from the ring. "I had to use my pointer finger to soften the ball up because I was so high that the ball was coming so hard. So I had to have touch to hit the backboard. That's not really a shot from that far, and you'd have to use the backboard for it to go in."
Beyond the historic rooftop shoot, Matthews also mingled with the local community through exhibition matches and a dunk contest. He also shared tips and personal insights with the local hoopers.
As a Red Bull athlete, one of his approach to basketball is never giving up. "That's the one thing I love about being a Red Bull. It's a company that's always devoted to giving back to the community and giving back to people who are pushing themselves in life, and that's me. I was one of those guys who was homeless. I was one of those guys who didn't know what I was going to do with my life, and Red Bull gave me an opportunity. So to be a part of events like this, partnering with Red Bull and getting ready for Red Bull Half Court World Finals in December in the Philippines- this is a dream come true, man.
This visit by the 'Lethal Shooter' marks a first-of-its-kind moment for the Philippine basketball scene. The event blended elite-level coaching, community engagement and a record-breaking feat as the first person to shoot a basketball from Tenement's rooftop, a moment shared on Lethal Shooter's Instagra,
Watch the video here: Lethal Shooter.
He shares his wisdom with young Filipinos who dream of improving their game- "Just continue to be patient. Don't be in a rush. Understand that greatness takes time, and never allow failure to set you back. Use it to learn."
Stay tuned for Red Bull Half Court 2026, where the Philippines will host the World Finals.
"It's huge for the country- for Red Bull to decide that multiple countries are going to come here to play basketball. There's going to be so many people coming here who are going to see what the Philippines life is about, and its passionate love for the game of basketball," said Matthews.
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