Rising Bicolana rapper XYVRL brought her signature “Swagapina” energy to one of Philippine basketball’s biggest stages on Friday, August 14, performing her tracks “Scottie T” and latest release “SBAPN” during the PBA halftime show at Smart Araneta Coliseum as the Meralco Bolts faced Barangay Ginebra.
Known for her bold personality, infectious energy, and effortless flow, XYVRL energized the Araneta crowd with a dynamic hip-hop performance, adding to the excitement of the highly anticipated matchup. Her halftime appearance also marked a major milestone in her journey—one she had imagined only months earlier.
In June, XYVRL attended a Ginebra Finals game at the same venue. From the stands, she shared her dream of performing at halftime inside Smart Araneta Coliseum. Just a few months later, that dream became reality as she took the PBA halftime stage and performed in front of thousands of basketball fans.
The night reached another memorable moment when XYVRL met Barangay Ginebra star Scottie Thompson, the basketball player who inspired her track “Scottie T.” Thompson acknowledged the song and thanked XYVRL for creating a track inspired by him, creating a genuine full-circle moment for the rising artist.
XYVRL’s connection with the Ginebra community has grown since the release of “Scottie T,” which quickly became one of her defining tracks. Performing the song in the same arena where Thompson and Ginebra have created countless basketball memories made the occasion even more meaningful.
She also showcased her latest release, “SBAPN,” short for “Super Baddie And Pretty Naman.” The track highlights XYVRL’s evolving sound through an energetic blend of budots and hip-hop while staying true to the bold, playful, and unapologetically Filipino identity of her “Swagapina” persona.
With her PBA halftime debut, a full-circle moment with Scottie Thompson, and the live performance of her newest release, XYVRL continues to establish herself as one of the emerging voices in Philippine hip-hop—bringing Bicolana pride, Filipino swagger, and a distinct energy to the local music scene.
