Balanga Chooks suffered another heartbreak to close out their 2019 Jeju Challenger campaign as their upset attempt versus world no. 6 Princeton fell short, 20-21 (9:14), Saturday.
Up by one, 20-19, with 46 ticks left, Karl Dehesa contested a deuce attempt by World Cup champion Robbie Hummel. However, Dehesa caught Hummel’s right arm resulting in a foul.
Hummel knocked down both free throws to send Balanga back home winless in this tournament that is the final qualifier for the Jeddah Masters.
Hummel had 10 points for Princeton that was built on four deuces.
Playing for pride as Winnipeg already clinched the main draw ticket earlier, Balanga had a strong start behind Chris De Chavez.
De Chavez, who was held scoreless against Winnipeg, caught fire early, knocking down five triples to help give Balanga a 14-6 lead midway through the game.
De Chavez had 12 points to pace Balanga.
The trio of Hummel, Zahir Carrington, and Damon Huffman rallied Princeton right back with a Huffman deuce with 2:03 remaining gave Princeton an 18-17 lead.
Alvin Pasaol and Santi Santillan stopped the Balanga bleeding, scoring on consecutive baskets to give Balanga a one-point cushion with 1:32 left. Carrington and Pasaol traded baskets afterward.
This led to Dehesa’s costly foul to Hummel.
Pasaol had four points while Karl Dehesa and Santillan chipped in three and a point, respectively.
Up next for Balanga is the Jeddah Masters which takes place from October 18-19. Balanga qualified for the level-10 tournament by placing second in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriot’s Cup.
The Scores:
Balanga 20 – De Chavez 12, Pasaol 4, Dehesa 3, Santillan 1.
Princeton 21 – Hummel 10, Carrington 7, Huffman 3, Moore 1.
