Slovenia whips Manila West

SENDAI, Japan—Novi Sad of Serbia showed why it’s the top-ranked team in the world by outclassing Saskatoon of Canada, 21-11, in the Fiba 3×3 World Tour Finals at Xebio Sports Arena on Sunday.

The Serbians earned $20,000 and a ticket to the Fiba 3×3 All-Stars in Doha, Qatar in December.

Earlier, Kranj of Slovenia proved too experienced for Manila West, holding the Filipinos without a basket in the last five minutes for a 21-12 win in the quarterfinals.

Kranj then bowed to Novi Sad, 22-13, while Saskatoon set up a championship clash with the Serbians by upending Bucharest, 19-16.

Seeded third in the tournament, the Slovenians swept Pool C to draw Manila West, the No. 2 team from Pool B, as quarterfinal foe.

The quartet of KG Canaleta, Aldrech Ramos, Rey Guevarra and Terrence Romeo failed to score in the final 5:13 that negated their effort to claw back at 14-12 after trailing, 11-6.

Guevarra, the Meralco Bolts forward, came off the bench to score six straight points—two three-pointers—to put pressure on Kranj.  But Manila West, which beat Sao Paolo in its first game, fizzled out after that run.

The 10th-seeded Manila West, which lost to No. 2 Bucharest Saturday, 15-13, also found trouble managing the 10-second shot clock and getting off shots against the taller and heavier Slovenians.

“They’re big and strong,” said Canaleta.

“It was a learning experience for all of us,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios.