UAAP stars Alvin Pasaol and Santi Santillan delivered down the stretch as 1Bataan Risers overcame a formidable Pasig Grindhouse Kings, 19-18, on Saturday night to rule the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong.
The stocky Pasaol, the scoring machine out of University of the East, shot seven points to match the output of former La Salle ace Santillan, who made the last three points for the Risers.
Sean Manganti of Adamson chipped in five points for the Risers, who also had Ateneo gunner Anton Asistio in the lineup.
The Kings, champions of the preseason tournament last month, fell short even after rallying from an 11-16 deficit and taking an 18-17 advantage with 55 seconds remaining.
Earlier, Kobe Paras ruled the 3×3 slam dunk side event with a tomahawk dunk over four slouched referees under the basket, besting a four-man field that also included National U’s Daniel Chatman, who posted two perfect 50 dunks.