CALAMBA, LAGUNA — In the first-ever battle on-court between Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks and the Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV, it was the City who reigned victorious.
Behind Troy Rike, FBS-Zambo took a dominant 21-14 (6:26) win over the Valientes in Pool A action of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup powered by TM Leg One, Wednesday afternoon.
Rike, who stands at 6-foot-8, caught fire in the end game. He knocked down three deuces in a span of two minutes, including the game-winner with 3:44 left in the contest.
“We are holding ourselves to a high standard. We don’t want to drop any games and we don’t want to take the easy route,” said the national team pool player Rike.
Rike had seven points, while Joshua Munzon had six. Zambo City’s Blonde Brothers Alvin Pasaol and Santi Santillan added five and four markers, respectively.
Zamboanga Peninsula ended the group stages with a 1-1 slate, opening the league with a 21-19 (9:04) win over the Sarangani Marlins. Rudy Lingganay led the Valientes in the contest with seven markers.
In another upset, newcomers Palayan City opened Pool C action with a 21-15 win over Big Boss Cement-Porac. John Paul Sarao led the way with six points.
Favorites Uling Roasters-Butuan City and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards took dominant wins to open Pool B and Pool D, respectively.
Chico Lanete turned back the hands of time to lift Butuan to a 21-12 (7:32) win over Pagadian City-Rocky Sports. Gab Banal, on the other hand, dropped 10 points to power Nueva Ecija to a 21-10 (7:03) win over Petra Cement-Roxas.
Seven more group stage games are being played as of publishing. The knockout playoffs of this leg that has P100,000 waiting for the victor is set to begin at 5:00PM.
