Almond Vosotros was the hero, lifting Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3×3 to a stunning 21-20 (8:24) win over top seed Mongolia in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup, Sunday in Singapore.
It was a gallant stand for the PBA 3×3-backed team as it was the first time they were facing Mongolia.
“The good thing about this game is that we did not give up. We gave our best,” said Vosotros as the team trailed 18-20 with 1:44 remaining.
Seven seconds after Delgernyam Davaasambuu sent Mongolia to match point, Vosotro was able to fish a foul from Mongolia. It was Mongolia’s seventh foul that led to two free throws.
Vosotros nailed the first but missed the second. Samboy De Leon was able to grab the board and dish it out to Vosotros. The 5-foot-10 gunner, with no hesitation, then knocked down a tough deuce over the outstretched arms of Anand Ariunbold to clinch the semis seat.
“I just shoot it, that’s my role in this team,” said the TNT Tropang Giga shooter.
Vosotros ended up with eight points built on three deuces.
The Philippines awaits the winner of the Japan-New Zealand game. The game will take place at 6:15PM later in the day.
Samboy De Leon also delivered in the knockout game, tallying seven points and five rebounds while Joseph Eriobu added five markers.
Ariunbold was the high-point man for Mongolia with eight points while Davaasambuu got six.
The Scores:
Philippines 21 – Vosotros 8, De Leon 7, Eriobu 5, Flores 1.
Mongolia 20 – Ariunbold 8, Davaasambuu 6, Tsogt 4, Enkhbat 2.
