For the third straight leg in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup, the 1Bataan Risers and the Pasig Grindhouse Kings met in the finale. And their trilogy bout proved to be another classic.
This time around, 1Bataan rose to the occasion, eking out a 21-19 victory over their arch-rivals, Friday afternoon at the SM Fairview Events Center.
With the win, the Risers have picked up a 20-point cushion over the Kings in the overall standings in the five-legged tourney, 280 to 260.
But unlike their 19-18 win in the first tour last February 16, 1Bataan had to grind the tournament out without Sean Manganti.
“Ine-expect namin na tough lagi yung laban namin against them kasi mas malalaki sila sa amin,” said 5-foot-8 guard Anton Asistio.
Not wanting to suffer the same fate as four days ago, Asistio provided the spark for Bataan. He scored six of his team’s first 10 points to gain a four-point cushion.
The trio of Taylor Statham, Troy Rike, and Dylan Ababou then bulldozed their way inside to knot things up at 10-all.
Playing the game of Pasig, Chito Jaime – who was activated in lieu of Manganti – powered his way in the paint to cap a 7-2 rally.
“Kami, medyo nanibago kami kasi since yung pre-season pa lang kami na nila Sean yung magkasama, pero madali naman kasama loob ng court si Kuya Chito,” Asistio said about Jaime.
Pasig slowly chipped at the lead behind the efforts of Joshua Munzon and Statham. However, fouls plagued the Kings late in the game.
With the game tied at 18-all, Munzon fouled Pasaol, Pasig’s eighth for the game, resulting in a split. Santillan then scored in the next possession, but Ababou gave Pasig a chance with 41 ticks remaining.
Munzon and Statham could not convert on their attempts, however, leading to their downfall. A free throw by Santillan with 1.6 seconds left sealed 1Bataan’s second championship and a cool P100,000.
“Kailangan namin bumawi talaga no excuses,” declared Pasaol.
Bataan – who experienced their first loss in the group stages, a 14-17 defeat to the Gerald Anderson-led Marikina Shoemasters, – reached the final stage after a routine 21-12 win over the Vigan Wolves. On the other hand, Pasig picked up an equally dominant 22-12 triumph against the Pasay Voyagers.
In the side events, Franky Johnson put on a show in the Wilson Slam Dunk competition, soundly besting dunk artists Gian Abrigo and Darwin Cantong. Munzon was able to pick up a consolation after a razor-thin 8-7 win over Quezon City-Zark’s Kib Montalbo in the Gameville Three-point Shootout.
The President’s Cup returns to the SM Megamall Events Center on Saturday, March 9.
The Scores:
1Bataan 21 – Asistio 6, Santillan 5, Pasaol 5, Jaime 5.
Pasig 19 – Munzon 6, Ababou 6, Statham 6, Rike 1.
