Zamboanga City wins Leg 2 of the Chooks to Go 3×3 President’s Cup. CHOOKS PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Zamboanga City-Family’s Brand Sardines claimed another title after upending Nueva Ecija, 21-11, for the Leg 2 championship of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup Friday at Inspire Academy in Calamba.
Amid a highly-physical game, Zamboanga took 7:47 to finish off the Rice Vanguards with Alvin Pasaol, the country’s no.2 player, leading his team with eight points as his two-pointer over Tonino Gonzaga finished off the race.
Pasaol and Gonzaga featured in a heated incident in the middle of the game, after Zamboanga’s Santi Santillan and Nueva Ecija’s Gab Banal got tangled up that ultimately needed separation from players and referees alike.
“This isn’t a kid’s game. For those who don’t understand 3×3 then don’t watch us,” said Pasaol with a sly smile. “We continue to play no matter what happens. We have to win here because we’re preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Joshua Munzon, the no.1 player in the country, added four points for Zamboanga’s cause while Troy Rike, the no.5-ranked in the Philippines, added two points.
Zamboanga, which also won Leg 1, won P100,000 in prize money bumping their collection to P250,000.
Nueva Ecija, despite finishing runner-up, was still given P100,000 as per Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascariñas’ pledge the amount to whoever the opponent whenever Family’s Brand Sardines makes the finals.
Banal led the Rice Vanguards with seven points.