Once again, fouls cost Pasig Chooks-to-Go a game.
After accumulating a total of 21 fouls during group play, Pasig Chooks-to-Go was once again hounded by it in its quarterfinals game against Kranj of Slovenia that ultimately led to a crushing 11-22 (2:26) loss, Saturday evening (Manila time) at the Plaza de Leclerc in Poitiers, France.
The loss ended Pasig’s hope of qualifying for the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Lausanne Masters this August.
Pasig was called for a total of 13 fouls in the contest.
Down by as much as six points with 5:38 left while already carrying seven fouls, Nikola Pavlovic sparked a 4-1 run to cut the lead down to just three, 11-14 with 3:39 left.
However, in the next possession, Taylor Statham was caught with an over-the-back foul that was Pasig’s 10th foul with 3:26 remaining.
In 3×3 basketball, any foul committed after the ninth foul shall be penalized with two free throws plus ball possession.
In a span of 26 seconds, Pasig gave up six freebies, five of which were converted to send the 16th-ranked squad in the world to just two points away from clinching a semis ticket.
Mensud Julević’s layup sent the Slovenians to match point while a long two by Igor Tratnik ended the tough outing for the top-ranked Filipino squad.
Tratnik led Kranj with 10 points, half of which coming from the foul stripe. Julevic added six points as Kranj attempted a total of 12 free throws.
Statham paced Pasig with five markers.
Pasig returns on Monday and will prepare for the fourth leg of the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriot’s Cup on Saturday, July 13 at the SM Megamall Events Center.
The Scores:
Pasig 11 – Statham 5, Ababou 3, Pavlovic 2, Munzon 1.
Kranj 22 – Tratnik 10, Julević 6, Vojičić 4, Jersin 2.
