Balanga Chooks-to-Go’s spirited comeback fell short against France’s Lyon, falling 14-18 to bow out of the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Jeddah Masters, Saturday.
The second-best club team in the country could not take home a win in what FIBA 3×3 called the group of death in this level 10-tourney.
Earlier in the day, Balanga was overwhelmed by world no. 2 Riga Ghetto, 11-22 (8:09). Riga also defeated Lyon, 21-14 (7:50). Both Riga and Lyon advanced to the knockout playoffs of the meet.
Still, Balanga fought hard in this one.
Down by as much as eight, 8-16, with 1:09 left, Chris De Chavez caught fire for Balanga, burying three straight deuces in a 6-2 blast to cut the lead down to three with 26 ticks remaining.
Hervé Touré though nailed the dagger seconds later while zoning on the Filipino shooters for the win.
De Chavez had six points in the game as Alvin Pasaol was limited to just five markers. Santi Santillan and Karl Dehesa only finished with just two and one points, respectively.
Raphael Wilson and Touré instigated Lyon’s breakaway. With the game knotted at 8-all midway, the two connived in an eight 8-0 surge that turned the game around.
Wilson and Touré had seven markers each.
Balanga will return home on Monday as they will still take part in the season one finale of the MelMac Cup. The six-legged season two will immediately begin on Wednesday, October 23.
The Scores:
Lyon 18 – Wilson 7, Touré 7, Giaimo 4, Girma 0.
Balanga 14 – De Chavez 6, Pasaol 5, Santillan 2, Dehesa 1.
