MANILA – Zamboanga City reigned supreme in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 preseason tournament, beating Bacolod, 21-17, in the final on Monday night at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Joshua Munzon's back-to-back deuces helped Zamboanga City survive a gritty stand from Bacolod that saw the latter come to within one with less than three minutes left.
With his team just up, 16-15, Munzon went to work, dropping two straight long toms to bring Zamboanga City to within match point at 20-16.
Chris Lalata scored on a two-handed jam to keep Bacolod in the fight, but Alvin Pasaol converted the match point to seal Zamboanga City's win.
Munzon finished with seven points to lead Zamboanga City, which won PHP50,000.
Santi Santillan contributed six points, Troy Rike added five markers and Pasaol finished with three.
Alfred Batino and Robin Roño each tallied six points for Bacolod, which settled for the PHP30,000 second prize pot.
Nueva Ecija, which put up a gallant stand before bowing to Zamboanga City in the semifinals, walked away with PHP20,000 for the third place.
The preseason tournament serves as a tuneup for the President's Cup, which will begin on Wednesday back at Inspire Sports Academy. (PNA)
