FAMILY’S Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks played true to form and beat the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, 22-19 (8:49), in an exciting finale to capture the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup powered by TM at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Josh Munzon took charge for Zamboanga City against a tough-fighting Rice Vanguards, who gave the favorites a run for their money in the country’s pioneering 3×3 league.
The three-man Nueva Ecija side gave the nationals all they could handle and were down by only one, 19-20, with a minute and a half remaining in the “Million Peso Game.”
But that was the best the Rice Vanguards could muster as Munzon’s longball over Jai Reyes crowned Zamboanga City champion.
“From the start, we had a game plan and we stuck to it,” Munzon said with the gold medal hanging from his neck. “Whether we won or lost, we just continued to do the same things over and over and over. Our will was tested, but the result speak for itself.”
Munzon, the country’s top player in the discipline, and Alvin Pasaol each scored seven points, while Santi Santillan and Troy Rike combined for eight points.
Zamboanga City topped four of the five legs and the preseason tournament to validate their championship.
The team took home the P1-million championship burse for a total earnings of P1.35 million. And more important, they gained valuable experience heading into the International Basketball Federation 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament next year.
Without a doubt, the nationals were challenged up until the end.
Even with a substitute as Mac Sabellina nursed a fractured rib, the Rice Vanguards went toe-to-toe with their opponents. They even had a chance to steal the championship, but Gab Banal’s long-range attempt fell short.
Zamboanga City hauled the rebound and not long after, Munzon hit the shot for the crown.
“Those are the shots I’ve been taking in the tournament,” he said. “It felt good coming out of my hands. I was confident about that shot.”
Moments later, the Filipino-American waved bye-bye not just to all their opponents, but also to the now so-called “CalamBubble” that has housed Chooks 3×3 for more than two weeks.
Nueva Ecija sent home with the runner-up prize of P300,000.
More than that, though, the league newcomer won hearts after fighting through in the absence of Juan Gomez de Liano who sprained his ankle in Leg 2. Sabellina was also out since the semifinals of the Grand Finals because of an injury.
Reyes finished with eight points while Banal and Tonino Gonzaga had six points each for Nueva Ecija.
Rounding out the podium was another upstart, the Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors, who received P100,000.
“Air” David Carlos, meanwhile, snatched his fourth Slam Dunk Competition title. In the Two-Point Shootout, Petra Cement-Roxas reigned supreme for the fourth time behind Janus Lozada.
Up next for Zamboanga City, which will be rechristened as Manila Chooks, will be the Fiba 3X3 Doha Masters on November 20 and 21.