Perpetual Help-Jonelta rules NBTC 3×3

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

University of Perpetual Help System-Jonelta of Laguna took home the gold after topping Santa Clarita International School-Iloilo, 21-19, in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 NBTC Tournament at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

The Saints took down Santa Clarita International School-Iloilo in the down the wire finale, 21-19, behind the heroics of Kenneth Eugenio and Duke Madelo.

Aside from Madelo and Eugenio, the winning Saints include Paulo Paras and Michael Joseph Homo.

UPHSJ eliminated Southwestern University-PHINMA of Cebu in the semifinals, 21-18, while Santa Clarita earned their spot over Calayan Educational Foundation-Lucena, 15-11.

The Saints opened their campaign in the group stages by beating Camp David-New Zealand, 21-11, before following it up by victories over Hope Christian High School-Manila, 14-12, and University of Baguio, 19-12, for a sweep of Group C.

Meanwhile, the SWU-Phinma Cobras salvaged third place over the Calayan Cougars, 21-14.

The 3×3 tournament featured a total of 16 teams, which were divided into four groups of four with the group winners advancing to the semifinals.

The tournament also helps the Philippines’ bid to qualify for the 3×3 event in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by adding to the country’s ranking points.