Manila West and Manila North both defeated their quarter-final opponents in the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters Sunday to forge an all-Pinoy semi-final showdown and assure the nation of a spot in the final of the event at Robinsons Place Manila.
Manila West, the reigning Manila Masters champion, edged Longshi of China, 21-19 to punch the last ticket to the semi-final.
Terrence Romeo put on a dazzling display once again, firing 8 points on ankle-breakers and long range shots early as Manila West took a 12-7 lead.
Aldrech Ramos then provided outside shooting as the home side extended its lead to 15-10. Longshi however pulled within one, 20-19 under the final minute as they also connected on baskets outside the arc, before Rey Guevarra’s baseline drive gave Manila West the win.
Manila North survives highly-physical affair
Manila North meanwhile prevailed against Kobe of Japan in a highly-physical battle earlier which saw both teams figuring in excessive pushing and shoving.
Both teams went above the foul limit and bodies crashed on the floor before only one squad stood on top.
Outside baskets by Calvin Abueva and Karl Dehesa gave Manila North the 11-10 lead halfway through the contest, before teams would exchange baskets for most of the contest.
A backdoor cut by Troy Rosario leading to a basket made it 20-18, before Abueva’s drive finished the game, 21-19.
Manila North and Manila West will clash in the semis, with the winner advancing to the final.
In the other quarter-final matches, defending 3×3 World Tour champions Novi Sad Al Wahda made quick work of Auckland, 21-11 while Doha of Qatar, a finalist in last year’s Manila Masters event, bested Ljubljana, 20-18.
Romeo bags Shootout title
Romeo also won in one of the side events of the competition after nailing 11 of 15 beyond the arc shots in the Shootout final.
Romeo advanced to the final after going 7-for-10 in the qualifer, the best among the participants.
The Globalport Batang Pier guard defeated Jasmin Hercegovac (Ljubljana), Sammy Monroe (Doha), and Diftha Pratama (Medan) in the final.
