Manila Chooks’ Chico Lanete. –CHOOKS TO GO PHOTO
Manila Chooks bowed out of 2022 Chooks-to-Go Fiba 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters after failing to make the main draw on Saturday at SM Seaside in Cebu.
The Philippines’ second-rank 3×3 team fell to Doha QSC, 21-16, in the virtual qualifying draw final, leaving Cebu Chooks as the only home team in the two-day, max level Fiba tournament.
Chico Lanete played his final career game in the loss. He is retiring from basketball for good after a career of more than 15 years.
Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas led the retirement ceremony honoring the Chooks 3×3’s head trainer.
Lanete went all-out in his swansong, helping out Henry Iloka and Ken Holmqvist stage a rally to chop a six-point deficit to just one, 14-13, with 3:15 remaining.
But Doha QSC turned to Dejan Janjic and Abdou Khapre Diop to keep the Filipinos at bay before Mohamed Abdelaziz delivered the final blow from beyond the arch with 44.9 seconds left.
Qatar completed the 12-team cast of the main draw, where Cebu Chooks is competing.
Iloka led Manila with 11 points to lead Manila in the losing effort.