Titans and Uratex Dream emerged as the top contenders in Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 3, booking their spots in the quarterfinals after dominant performances in pool play on Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
Last year’s runner-up Titans made their presence felt in Pool C, sweeping their group with an unbeaten record.
The quartet of Supavadee Kunchuan, Lina Nakazawa, Trina Guytingco, and Stefanie Berberabe put on a masterclass, dispatching Royals Basketball (15-7), Uratex Tibay (21-15), and Tokyo BB (21-16).
With their stellar run, the Titans now await the winner of the qualification match between Dinoman Hansol and Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women.
Meanwhile, Uratex Dream secured an outright quarterfinal berth after a perfect 3-0 campaign in Pool B.
Kaye Pingol, the country’s top-ranked women’s 3×3 player, led the charge for Dream, teaming up with Afril Bernardino, Sam Harada, and Chinese center Li Renzhu.
Their journey to the final eight featured an 18-10 rout of New Zealand Creamery, a 21-17 triumph over Shoot It Dragons, and a commanding 21-12 victory against Jumpshot Singapore.
“Yung Dream talaga ngayon is sobrang mature. Marunong na kami mag-close out ng games and alam na namin kung paano mag-adjust para makuha pa rin yung panalo,” said Pingol, who linked up with Afril Bernardino, Sam Harada, and Chinese center Li Renzhu in the undefeated stretch.
Japan’s XD also showcased its dominance, topping Pool A with an unbeaten record.
Their campaign was highlighted by a thrilling 21-19 overtime win against Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 U23, with Momoko Saito scoring the last four points, including the clutch drive that forced OT.
They also dominated Army Altama (21-7) and edged Dinoman Hansol (18-11) to secure their spot in the final eight.
Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Women settled for the third seed in Pool D due to a lower total points tally despite pulling off an impressive 21-19 overtime upset against defending champion Zoos Tokyo and a 16-10 win over Harimau Malaysia.
Jhaz Joson delivered the game-winning deuce in front of a roaring crowd to hand the Japanese club its first defeat.
However, Zoos Tokyo still clinched the top spot in the group due to a three-way tie with Panthers 3×3 and Gilas Women, all finishing with identical 2-1 records.
Led by world no. 55 Ama Degbeon, Zoos Tokyo earned the last outright quarterfinal slot and will face the winner between Uratex Tibay and Jumpshot.
Also securing places in the qualification round are Dinoman Hansol (2-1) and Gilas Women’s 3×3 U23 (1-2) from Pool A, along with Jumpshot (2-1) and Shoot It Dragons (1-2) from Pool B.
Unfortunately, Army Altama and New Zealand Creamery, both winless, have been eliminated from the competition.
At stake in this invitational tournament is a USD4,000 cash prize and an invitation to the WKBL Triple Jam later this year.
The runner-up will receive USD2,500, while the third-placer takes home USD1,500.
Manila Hustle 3×3 Season 3 is co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), with Titan as an official partner alongside Wilson, Seiko, B’lue, Secret Fresh, BDO, Jollibee, TRYP by Wyndham, Jisulife, Rexona, Senka, and Laurin.
