STA ROSA, Laguna — Manila Chooks! was off to a flying start while world no. 29 Cebu Chooks! was stunned to open the 2022 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 International Quest, Friday at Ayala Malls Solenad here.
Henry Iloka provided the spark while Chico Lanete did the finishing kick in Manila’s 21-15 (8:26) win over Kuala Lumpur to take a share of the lead in Pool A.
Iloka scored 10 of Manila’s first 15 points, while Lanete knocked down three straight deuces, including the game-winner.
Also picking up its first win in Pool A is world no. 7 Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy, who routed sister team Zavkhan, 22-12 (8:35).
Delgernyam Davaasambuu fired 10 points, including the game-winning deuce with 1:15 left in the game.
Meanwhile in Pool B, Cebu Chooks suffered a 13-11 stunner at the hands of Saitama.
The Japanese team’s two Serbian imports Marko Milakovic and Teodor Atanasov pounded the paint all game long, scoring seven and four points, respectively.
Down by two, PH no. 1 Mac Tallo had a chance to send the game into overtime, but his attempt from downtown fell short.
Tallo got six points, while Mike Nzeusseu added four markers.
Also in Pool B, Zaisan MMC Energy defeated developmental team Butuan Chooks, 22-7 (6:25).
Six more group phase games are still ongoing as of publishing in this level eight tournament that has US$10,000 and a Cebu Masters main draw ticket going to the champion. Meanwhile, the runner-up will bag $5,000 and a qualifying draw slot for Cebu.
The Scores:
First Game (Pool A)
Ulaanbaatar 22 – Davaasambuu 10, Tsogt 7, Gotov 4, Enkhbat 1.
Zavkhan 12 – Bayarsaikhan 5, Lhagvaa 3, Tsermaa 2, Khureltogoo 2.
Time: Delgernyam Davaasambuu – 2 (8:35)
Second Game (Pool B)
Saitama 13 – Atanasov 7, Milakovic 4, Ozawa 1, Ochiai 1.
Cebu 11 – Tallo 6, Nzeusseu 4, Ramirez 1, Tolentino 0.
Third Game (Pool A)
Manila 21 – Iloka 10, Lanete 7, Ando 2, Santos 2.
Kuala Lumpur 15 – Ting 6, Zhen 4, Gan 3, Liew 2.
Time: Chico Lanete – 2 (8:26)
Fourth Game (Pool B)
Zaisan 22 – Myagmarsuren 10, Nyamdorj 7, Chuluunbaatar 4, Batsaikhan 1.
Butuan 7 – Strait 3, Eze 2, Cauilan 2, Catacutan 0.
Time: Ulzii-Orshikh Myagmarsuren – 2 (6:25)
