CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Manila Chooks may have bowed out of title contention in the Fiba 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters 2023, but the Philippines snagged a consolation prize after Filipino pro dunker David Carlos won the dunk contest on Sunday.
The 34-year-old Carlos beat out Australia’s Brodie Stephens and fellow local dunker Daniel Marcelo to pocket $4,000 in cash prize.
Carlos’ emphatic triumph capped Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas’ world-class hosting of the Manila Masters as a prelude to the Cebu Masters set in September.
“This is the one dunk contest I wanted to win before I retire as a professional dunker. All the things I needed to do, I did, to get the win,” Carlos said in Filipino.
Carlos made the biggest highlight in his first dunk of the final round when he jumped over four individuals for a one-handed flush, garnering 28 points from three judges.
In his last dunk, however, he needed a third attempt to complete a “tetris dunk” where he jumped over two people stacked on each other for 27 points.
Carlos notched first place with 55 total points. Stephens came in second with 47 points.
“This is for the fans. I thank my Chooks-to-Go family for their unwavering support,” he said.
Unfortunately for Chooks, the country’s 3×3 team fell out of title contention after bowing to Utsonomiya Brex EXE on Sunday, 22-18.
UB Huishan NE of Serbia, which eliminated Manila Chooks with a 22-18 victory on Sunday, ruled the Manila Masters following a 21-17 win over China’s Futian in the finals.