Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

3x3 Basketball

Tight bond of Jhapz Bautista, Ced Ablaza leads Pasig to Chooks 3×3 Finals


Despite being newbies in Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, Pasig-Sta. Lucia became the first team to defeat fancied Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga Chooks in the 2020 President’s Cup powered by TM.

And it’s because of the uncanny chemistry within the team — especially the duo of Jhapz Bautista and Ced Ablaza, who have been playing together since their collegiate days in STI.

“Mag-teammate kami 2009 hanggang 2012 yata, tapos matanda ako sa kanya eh. Ako unang natapos [yung] playing years,” shared Bautista, 32, during an episode of Chooks-to-Go Crossover.

“After noon, parang naglaro kami sa ibang liga, ‘yung D-League tapos panay ligang labas na rin. Kapag may ligang labas ako, automatic kasama rin siya,” he added, as they played together in D-League teams Batangas-EAC and BRT-Sumisip.

“After ng college, naglaro ako ng D-League first conference. After noon, nag-stop na ako eh, hindi na talaga ako naglalaro. So si Jhapz ‘yung nag-push sa akin noon, siya ‘yung nag-aya sa akin maglaro. Sabi niya, ‘Laro ka pa!’ Sabi ko, ‘Sige!’ Nag-try ulit tapos ayun, nagtuloy-tuloy. Naglaro ulit kami ng D-League, teammate pa rin,” said Ablaza, on the other hand.

“Tapos ‘yung mga panalay, alam na ‘pag panalay automatic na ‘yan. Hindi pwedeng maglaban.”

In the MPBL, however, they became opponents. Ablaza is with Makati while Bautista is with Basilan.

But in Chooks 3×3, they became teammates again with the Realtors.

And their chemistry is undeniable.

In the third leg, the duo powered Pasig-Sta. Lucia to the Finals with wins over FBS-Zamboanga (21-18) and Palayan City (21-9). However, they bowed to Uling Roasters-Butuan by the closest of margins, 20-21.

#ReadMore  Also-ran GenSan spoils Bulacan's MPBL playoff bid, scores breakthrough win

Still, they were proud of the stand they made.

“Nung na-shoot ‘yun, siyempre talagang nalungkot din. Pero at least happy pa rin na binigay namin ‘yung best namin doon sa game na ‘yun,” said Ablaza, since it took a Hail Mary by Franky Johnson to beat them.

“Talagang lahat nung nandoon sa likod nakatayo na eh nung game eh. Tapos pagpanik namin ng room, lahat pala ng nandito nakasubaybay sa amin. Sabi nila sayang wala ng pizza tuloy.”

More than getting to play again, both Bautista and Ablaza relish getting to spend time together — just like the good old days.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Bacoor City weathered Batangas City Embassy Chill’s third-quarter surge to prevail, 54-49, on Friday and capture the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) South Division...

Basketball

Batangas relied on the clutch hits of Levi Hernandez and Cedric Ablaza, as well as a defensive stop by Vincent Importante, to defeat GenSan,...

Basketball

It was an intense day of basketball action as Nueva Ecija and Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines dominated their respective opponents, grabbing the early lead...

Basketball

Standouts of the OKBet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme was honored Monday night before Game 2 of the National Finals...

Basketball

Hesed Gabo struck when needed most as the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards subdued Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, 81-75, on Friday night in the opener...

Basketball

Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines clawed back from a deep pit to stun Batangas City Embassy Chill, 67-66, and snatch the South division crown in...

Basketball

Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines pounced on a cold Batangas City Embassy Chill in the fourth quarter to tally a 63-53 victory and force a...

Basketball

Batangas City Embassy Chill posted a huge lead and proceeded to beat Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, 80-71, on Saturday in Game 1 of their...

Advertisement