A mental lapse cost home team 1Bataan Risers a lot in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go 3X3 Asia Pacific Super Quest.
The Risers were victims to a late-game meltdown by Santi Santillan, wasting their valiant stand against world no. 19 Tokyo Dime, 22-20, in the finale, Sunday afternoon at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Pasig.
Just how painful was this loss? The champions of this level eight FIBA 3X3-endorsed tourney went home with US$ 20,000, a ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters Doha, and a seat to the Challengers in Penang on May 12 to 13. The runners-up ended up with US$ 15,000 and a seat to Doha.
With 1:21 left, Alvin Pasaol was able to score inside to move 1Bataan to just a point away from clinching the match.
A quick basket by Serbian Peter Perunovic cut the lead to just a solitary point. However, Santillan got stuck underneath and was called for delaying the game.
Keita Suzuki knocked down a free throw to knot things up. Santillan tried to make it up with a corner deuce but his shot badly missed.
On the other end, Suzuki knocked down a corner deuce to seal the championship for the Japan-based club team.
Japan’s top player Tomoyo Ochiai and Petrunovic scored six points, apiece.
Pasaol led 1Bataan with seven markers.
The Scores:
Tokyo Dime 22 –– Ochiai 6, Perunovic 6, Komatsu 5, Suzuki 5,
1Bataan 20 — Pasaol 7, Franklin 5, Santillan 5, Dehesa 3.
