Concepcion dazzles, Valientes claims another 3×3 title

MLV Accounting’s Chris Concepcion. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Chris “Peng” Concepcion dazzled anew as MLV Accounting, comprised of the Zamboanga Valientes, topped the Champions League Basketball 3×3 Portland Opens at Youth Activity Space in Portland City, Australia.

Concepcion, the pride of Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City, showed out with eight points while also showcasing his wizardry with the basketball in an 18-11 win over fierce rival Clippers in the final.

The Valientes have now won their third straight 3×3 title in Australia where they also won the 3×3 Christine Street Hustle in Canberra and the CLB 3×3 in Bendigo that also saw them beat the Clippers for the crown on January 9.

The 5-foot-8 Concepcion, Eric Miraflores, and 6-foot-10 Sudanese-Australian Duom Dawan had to play minus teen prospect Adam Kempton starting the semifinals, forcing Zamboanga Valientes co-owner and coach Junie Navarro to sub in sometimes in the preliminary stage.

Concepcion, 39, was a former Southern City Colleges Bulldog just like Mark Barroca, RR Garcia, Rudy Lingganay, and Mike Tolomia. He was also part of the powerhouse St. Francis of Assisi Doves with brothers Yancy and Ranidel de Ocampo and Ervin Sotto.

The Valientes swept Group A to advance to the semifinals, where they turned back the Fades for the Babes, 15-13, to set up another title duel with the Clippers.