DOHA — Manila Chooks TM were outmuscled by a much-taller Lusail squad, falling 14-19, to bow out of the 2020 FIBA 3X3 Doha World Tour Masters, Friday at the Al Gharafa Sports Complex here.
The Qatari squad utilized 6-foot-10 behemoth Souley Ndour of Senegal to build an early 5-2 lead.
Santi Santillan provided the spark for Manila, scoring on a jam before swatting away Ndour’s attempt.
Alvin Pasaol joined in the party with a bucket of his own and a block on Ndour as well. However, the Davao-native hurt his right shin as he landed.
That’s when Lusail broke away.
Behind the dominance in the paint of Ndour and the veteran wits of 36-year-old Greek Kostas Vasileiadis, the home team raced to a 10-16 lead.
Though Joshua Munzon tried to make things happen, time was not on their side as Manila suffered an upset in any account.
Munzon led Manila with eight points and five boards while Santillan and Pasaol had three and two markers, respectively.
Troy Rike, who played hurt after a collision with Ndour midway through the game, had a point and two rebounds.
Ndour had 10 points and seven rebounds while Vasileiadis added seven.
