Ryan Monteclaro pulled the biggest trick out of his bag to finally lead Big Boss Cement-Porac to a 21-18 (6:28) victory over Pasig to snare the seventh leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 MelMac Cup, Monday at Gold’s Gym Sheridan in Mandaluyong.
It was an amazing play from the former Adamson Falcon. He spun for a wild circus shot then banked it to the hoop against the tight defense of Franky Johnson, to cap off the exciting championship game with 3:32 still on the clock.
“Sadya pero swerte rin,” said Monteclaro of his winner, as the Gilbert Cruz-owned Builders claimed their second title in four appearances in the championship.
The Philippines’ 21st-ranked 3×3 player finished with eight points in the finals, which is also presented by Coca-Cola and Gold’s Gym.
Monteclaro broke the 9-all deadlock with five straight points, ending in a deuce to grab a 14-9 lead with 5:51 remaining.
The resilient Pasig kept chipping, with Johnson draining a long bomb to get to within two, 20-18. That only led to Monteclaro playing the role of the hero late in the penultimate leg.
“Minamaliit kami kasi talagang maliit talaga kami, but we stayed locked in and grabe ‘yung focus namin. Luckily for us, we’re hitting our two-pointers,” said Monteclaro, as Big Boss Cement-Porac played with just three players after the ejection of Janus Lozada at the 6:45 mark. It also took home the P100,000 cash prize.
“Nagpapasalamat din ako kay tita Marissa (Altamirano) kasi minotivate talaga niya ako.”
The Builders have finally gotten one over the powerhouse Pasig in the finals after finishing as runners-up in legs three and four.
Nikki Monteclaro played big with seven points. Johnson led the Kings with 10 points built on five two-pointers, while Munzon got five in the bridesmaid finish.
Pasig settled for Php30,000, while MSC Binan City – Azi&Tets Travel N Tours finished in third place and bagged Php20,000.
Meanwhile, the Maroon Thunders have claimed the championship in the women’s division, pulling off a 13-8 victory over Team X.
Aileen Balmatero led the new champions with five points to win the Php20,000 cash prize.
She also won the Chooks-to-Go Harissa Roast Two-Point Shootout to pad her winnings with Php10,000.
Team X, on the other hand, settled for runner-up for the second time to wound up with Php10,000.
The eighth and final leg will be on Tuesday, still at Gold’s Gym Sheridan.
