WINNERS. Zamboanga City receives a PHP100,000 paycheck after taking Leg 1 of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup on Oct. 21, 2020 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City. The game ended on a 7-0 run to overcome a 14-17 deficit. (Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go)
MANILA – Zamboanga City ruled the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup after edging Butuan, 21-17, in the final at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City on Wednesday night.
Zamboanga City stole the win from Butuan after ending the game on a 7-0 run to overcome a 14-17 deficit.
"It showed we can fight through adversity. We just stuck to our script. We took advantage of our advantages," said Joshua Munzon, who finished with 12 points for Zamboanga City, four of which came in the decisive rally.
Fellow national team member Alvin Pasaol added six points, while Santi Santillan put in two and Troy Rike got one.
Zamboanga City won PHP100,000 for topping the leg.
Karl Dehesa made six markers, Chris de Chavez and Chico Lanete each put up four, and Franky Johnson scored three for Butuan City, which despite the defeat also took home PHP100,000 for being Zamboanga City's opponent in the final.
De Chavez would take home an additional PHP10,000 for winning the two-point shootout.
Nueva Ecija, despite losing Juan Gomez de Liaño in the pool stages due to an ankle injury, racked up the third spot.
Meanwhile, Jesus Manay shocked the "Calambubble" after beating David Carlos in the slam dunk contest, walking away with a PHP20,000 paycheck.
The Scores:
ZAMBOANGA CITY 21 – Munzon 12, Pasaol 6, Santillan 2, Rike 1.
BUTUAN CITY 17 – Dehesa 6, De Chavez 4, Lanete 4, Johnson 3. (PNA)
