Franky Johnson clinches third leg for Butuan in President's Cup

Franky Johnson drives against the Pasig defense.

We have a new champion in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM, as the third leg produced a dramatic ending in the final.

Uling Roasters-Butuan City claimed the victory over Pasig-Sta. Lucia, 21-20, with Franky Johnson nailing the game-winner with just seconds remaining.

Struggling for most of the match, Johnson stepped up when the team needed the most, converting a longball over Jeckster Apinan for his sixth point, securing the win and capping an undefeated third leg.

Chico Lanete led all scorers with eight points. He shared after the game with the team's struggles during the final, "Sinasabi ko sa kanila lagi, wag niyo i-doubt yung sarili niyo kasi may chance pa tayo. Alam naman naming pwedeng-pwede pa kaming bumawi at ito na nga yung resulta."

Completing scoring for Butuan are Chris de Chavez's four points and JR Alabanza's three markers.

To get to the final, they defeated Zamboanga Peninsula in the quarterfinals, 21-14, and handled things in the semifinals against Bacolod, 21-18.

Pasig pulled off the result of the the third leg with their 21-18 upset of powerhouse Zamboanga City in the quarterfinals. The Realtors then took care of business against Palayan City, 21-9 in the semifinals. Although they fell short in the final, they still managed to win PhP 30,000.

Bacolod earned PhP 20,000 as the second-runner-up.

In the other side event, David Carlos claimed his second TM Slam Dunk title.

The fourth leg of the FIBA 3x3-endorsed tournament will take place on Tuesday, with the Grand Final scheduled on the 30th.

THE SCORES

BUTUAN CITY-ULING ROASTERS 21 - Lanete 8, Johnson 6, De Chavez 4, Alabanza 3

PASIG-STA. LUCIA REALTORS 20 - Ablaza 7, Apinan 7, Bautista 5, Apreku 2