Filipinos split 3×3 opening matches

The Philippines overcame a tough Romania side, 21-15, but bowed to host France, 11-21, at the start of its campaign in the 2017 Fiba 3×3 World Cup Sunday (Monday in Manila) in Nantes, France.

Seeded 18th, the Filipinos rallied past Romania in the last two minutes with a 9-2 finish behind Kobe Paras and Kiefer Ravena.

Ravena, the two-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo, put the Philippines on top, 15-13, before pushing the lead to four, 17-13, with 1:06 left.

The 6-foot-6 Paras sealed the victory, scoring the last four points of the match, including two free throws with 29 seconds to spare.

JR Quiñahan and Jeron Teng had their moments early in the game, before Paras and Ravena used their quickness and athleticism to counter Romania’s size advantage.

The Filipinos, though, fell short hours later as French big man Charles Bronchard and speedy guard Dominique Gentil powered France to an early edge, 16-8, before Charly Pontens sealed the dominant win. France leads Pool B with a 2-0 record.
Paras later earned Player of the Day honors. —MARK GIONGCO, INQUIRER.NET