Zamboanga City barely escapes Palayan City in President's Cup fourth leg opener

Munzon bails out Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City was on the verge of being upset again in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Tuesday afternoon, but Joshua Munzon prevented that from happening.

The top 3x3 baller in the Philippines aided the Family's Brand Sardines-backed quartet to a 19-17 overtime victory over Palayan City in their opening pool play match for the fourth leg.

After converting a free throw off a JP Sarao foul, a Bobby Balucanag turnover Munzon then swooped towards the basket for his eighth point and the game-clinching basket.

He shared after the game, "It's having some slow starts but it's not how you start, it’s how you finish."

Smarting from their quarterfinal defeat to Pasig-Sta. Lucia in the third leg, Munzon adds, "We are going through what every team goes, the highs and the lows. Just got to go through it."

Zamboanga City trailed 9-16 with three minutes left, but three straight two-pointers from Troy Rike, Leonard Santillan, and Munzon reduced the deficit to a solitary point.

Santillan would then force overtime at 17-all through his trademark hook with 13.6 seconds remaining.

In other early pool play action, Marvin Hayes connected on four two-pointers to power Sarangani to a 21-13 win over Bacolod-Masters Sardines, avenging their 20-21 nailbiter of a defeat in the quarterfinals of the previous leg.

Also winning their matchups are Zamboanga Valientes MLV, who beat Petra Cement-Roxas ZN, 21-11, and Nueva Ecija, who beat Bicol-Paxful 3x3 Pro, 21-13.