ZAMBOANGA City-Family’s Brand Sardines is headed to the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup powered by TM with with all its cylinders firing after ruling the preseason on Monday.
Zamboanga City topped Bacolod-Master Sardines in a seesaw Finals, 21-17, inside the league’s Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
As expected, Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 members Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol showed the way with seven and five points, respectively.
Bacolod came to within one, 15-16, with less than five minutes to go before Munzon fired back-to-back long balls for a 20-16 edge.
Pasaol was then sent to the line with a chance to wrap it all up but missed.
After Chris Lalata allowed Master Sardines to threaten at three points down, Pasaol willed his way inside to seal the win.
Troy Rike also had five points while Santi Santillan added four points.
Zamboanga City earned P50,000 for ruling the preseason of the pioneering 3×3 league energized by Gatorade. Bacolod—made up of Lalata, Anton Asistio, Choi Ignacio, Alfred Batino, and Robin Roño—pocketed P30,000.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, energized by Juan Gomez de Liaño, settled for third place and a cash prize of P20,000.
All 12 teams will duke it out anew in the first leg Wednesday. The final three legs will be played every other day.
The squads will be divided into four groups in each leg with the top two advancing to the quarterfinals. From there, knockout bouts will determine the champion.
A cash prize of P1 million will be up for grabs in the Grand Finals of the FIBA-endorsed tournament set for October 30.