CHOOKS-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 pulled out all the stops in the end game to outlast host Indonesia and win the Jakarta 3×3 International Invitational Challenge, 21-17 (7:02), on Saturday evening.
“We dedicate this win to our countrymen. It’s for them,” said Chooks-to-Go 3×3 program director Eric Altamirano about the team’s five-game sweep of this tournament hosted by Indonesian federation PERBASI as part of their Southeast Asian Games preparation.
“Secondly, we are preparing for the OQT. This is a good tournament to start. I’m really proud of the boys.”
And this was a good test for the Philippine side as it played five games in a span of four hours.
In the finale, Indonesia gave the Philippines a good challenge as the game was tied at 17-all with 3:17 remaining.
Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol though did not allow an upset to take place.
Munzon, the top 3×3 player of the country, powered his way to the paint for the go-ahead bucket. On the other end, he was able to force an Indonesian player to the outside for a stop.
Though Munzon missed on a tough layup in the next possession, Pasaol was able to score on a putback plus the harm. With Indonesia already having seven fouls, the former UE Red Warrior was awarded two free throws. Pasaol knocked down both free throws with 2:58 left, the latter serving as championship point.
Pasaol tallied a game-high 10 points while Munzon finished with seven.
Santi Santillan chipped in three points while Troy Rike had one.
Chooks 3×3 began the day with a quick 21-10 (6:08) win over world no. 40 Chinese-Taipei. It would then defeat SEA Games-bound squads Malaysia (21-17 — 7:04), Indonesia (21-13 — 9:13), and Vietnam (19-14) to sweep the elims.
And Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 league owner Ronald Mascariñas said that they are planning to join more pocket tournaments to close out the year.
“We can’t afford to rest on our laurels especially with the OQT just four months away,” said Mascariñas. “We are thinking of organizing another pocket tournament this December to accumulate more points for our potential pool players and, as well as, keep our players going heading into the first quarter of 2020.”
