Chico Lanete powers Manila Chooks into Fiba 3×3 Manila Masters playoffs

Chico Lanete stars for Manila Chooks in the 2022 Fiba 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters. CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO

MANILA. Philippines – Chico Lanete and Manila Chooks survived  Zaisan MMC Energy, 21-19 (7:25), to barge into the quarterfinals of the  2022 Chooks-to-Go Fiba 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters Saturday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

The 42-year-old veteran powered the home team with 12 points including two clutch free throws with 2:34 left that helped his side complete the quarterfinals scheduled for Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Lanete scored Manila’s last five points, putting on the finishing blows to a fightback sparked by Dennis Santos.

Santos scored three of his four points trim a four-point deficit to just one, 17-16, with 3:26 to play before his senior took over.

Nigerian slotman Henry Iloka finished with five points and six rebounds for Manila, which clinched the second seed in Pool D with a 1-1 record.

Manila Chooks will face Sansar MMC Energy in the quarterfinals. The Mongolian team is the no. 1 seed in Pool B with a perfect 2-0 record.

The tournament is a maximum level FIBA 3×3 tournament that has a $122,000 (P6,375,415) prize pool with $40,000 (P2,090,300) going to the champion.

Meanwhile, world no. 3 Liman will lock horns with Cebu Chooks as the top team in Pool C takes on the second-ranked team of Pool A.