Ever Bilena remains the barometer in the women’s division with a 21-18 victory over Blackwater in the Finals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 MelMac Cup, Tuesday at Gold’s Gym Sheridan in Mandaluyong.
Afril Bernardino scored eight points to lead her side in a battle between some of the top women’s 3×3 players in the land.
“Siguro chinallenge din namin ‘yung bawat isa to compete to the highest level. Nandoon ‘yung kumpyansa namin sa sarili namin dahil alam namin na magagaling ‘yung kalaban namin,” she said.
Ria Nabalan also added seven points, while Tina Deacon had six, including the game-sealing deuce from the right wing with 3:20 left to play.
Ever Bilena survived the hot shooting of Janine Pontejos — who lit up with 14 points built on five two-pointers for Blackwater — and wound up with P10,000.
Careline took home P5,000 for the bronze medal finish.
Ryan Monteclaro, on the other hand, gained consolation with another P10,000 as he won the Chooks-to-Go Harissa Roast Two-Point Shootout.
Season two of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 MelMac Cup tips off on Wednesday, with six more legs slated before the October 31 deadline. The Philippines is making its last push to remain in the top 24 of the Fiba 3×3 rankings to gain a ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
