Manila North outmuscles Kobe of Japan, makes Fiba 3×3 semis

Manila North celebrates close win over Kobe. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Manila North hurdled its toughest challenge yet following a 21-19 win over Kobe of Japan to make the semifinals of the Fiba 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters Sunday at Robinson’s Place Manila.

Manila North dragged Kobe to a physical game where bangers Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel thrived and teammates Troy Rosario and Karl Dehesa were also accustomed to playing.

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Up by just one, 20-19, with under 10 seconds left, Abueva got the offensive rebound and had the presence of mind to shoot the jumper and make it to seal the game.

“The more physical the game went, the more it went to our advantage,” Abueva said in Filipino as he was still trying to catch his breath. “We wanted it to be physical because that’s the strength of our team.”

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Manila North will face the winner between Manila West and China later in the day. CFC