Melbourne dominated Auckland in an all-Oceania showdown, 21-10 (6:48), to sweep its way to the main draw of the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters, Saturday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Paranaque.
Andrew Steele led the attack with nine points, including the finishing deuce with 3:12 remaining as the Australian club topped the qualifiers with a 2-0 record to complete the 12-team cast — and a chance to win $40,000.
Jesse Wagstaff made five points, highlighted by the game’s opening basket that sparked a 7-0 assault that set the tone for the one-sided affair.
Greg Hire supplied four markers as Cooper Wilks added three in the victory, where they hardly showed any adverse effect of their gritty 21-16 (8:41) conquest of Yokohama to raise the curtains of the two-day hostilities.
The road, though, won’t get any easier for Melbourne. They are grouped in Pool B, together with world no. 2 Antwerp and Sansar MMC Energy.
The qualifying draw wrapped up with Auckland keeping Yokohama winless through a 21-10 (6:52) beatdown to conclude its campaign on a high note.
Meanwhile, Cebu Chooks’ main gunner Mac Tallo will headline the Two-Point Shootout finale following a strong showing in the qualifiers.
The Philippines’ top-ranked 3×3 player was among the three players who finished with seven points to book a spot in the grand contest.
Others were Wagstaff and Yokohama’s Tatsuhito Noro. Chris McIntosh of Auckland completed the four-man cast with six points in 29.33 seconds, eliminating Strahinja Stojacic as the Ub gunner scored as much in 30 ticks.
The Shootout final takes place on Sunday at 5:50 PM with the winner taking home $500. If any of the four players score above the record of 17 shots made, he brings home $5,000.
The opening ceremony and the main draw is taking place as of publishing.
The Scores:
Qualifying Draw:
Game 1:
Melbourne 21 – Wagstaff 7, Steel 6, Hire 4, Wilks 4.
Yokohama 16 – Popovic 12, Minatoya 4, Noro 0, Iwasa 0.
Time: Wagstaff (8:41)
Game 2:
Melbourne 21 – Steel 9, Wagstaff 5, Hire 4, Wilks 3.
Auckland 10 – McIntosh 5, Castle 2, Easthope 2, Aruwa 1.
Time: Steel 2 (6:48)
Game 3:
Auckland 21 – Easthope 8, Castle 6, McIntosh 4, Aruwa 3.
Yokohama 10 – Popovic 6, Minatoya 4, Noro 0, Iwasa 0.
Time: Easthope (6:52)
