Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 pulled out all the stops in the endgame to outlast host Indonesia and win the Jakarta 3×3 International Invitational Challenge 2019, 21-17 (7:02), Saturday evening.
“Unang-una, inaalay natin ito sa ating mga kababayan. 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 prep.
“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 the span of four hours.
In the finale, Indonesia gave the Philippines a good challenge, with the game tied at 17-all with 3:17 remaining.
Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol did not allow an upset to take place, though.
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 won 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. They 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.
