Zamboanga City claims President's Cup second leg

Still unmatched. 2/2 for Zamboanga City in the President's Cup

Zamboanga City claimed the second leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Friday, but they had to fend off a game Nueva Ecija side in the final, 21-11.

Alvin Pasaol finished with eight points for the Family's Brand Sardines-backed squad, highlighted by a two-pointer over Tonino Gonzaga for the win. Leonard Santillan added seven markers, five of which came in a span of four minutes that allowed Zamboanga City to go on a 12-5 run to establish an 18-9 lead.

The matchup had its intense moments, none moreso than what took place involving Pasaol, Santillan, Gonzaga, and Gab Banal.

In trying to secure a rebound, Banal fouls Santillan, which led both to fall to the floor and both players unable to extricate themselves out of. Pasaol then came close to push off Banal, followed by Gonzaga warding Pasaol off.

Game officials then reviewed the situation as a whole via video review and awarded a regular foul to Banal and unsportsmanlike technical fouls to both Pasaol and Gonzaga.

Once play resumed, Banal managed to reduce the deficit to 11-19, but Pasaol's jumper over Gonzaga secured the title and the accompanying PhP 100,000 prize.

When asked about the perception of the 3x3 game being more intense than many thought it would be, the former UAAP scoring champion had this to say, "Hindi ito larong bata. Para sa mga hindi nakakaintindi ng 3x3, wag niyo na lang kami panoorin. Tuloy-tuloy lang naman yung laro kahit anong mangyari. Kailangan naming manalo rito kasi ito na yung preparation para sa Tokyo Olympics."

Even with the loss, with the special incentive league owner Ronald Mascarinas put in place for the other remaining teams, the Rice Vanguards also secured PhP 100,000.

Both teams survived tough competition in the knockout rounds heading into the final.

Zamboanga City eked out a 21-16 win over Bacolod in the quarters and needed a 12-2 run to escape with a 21-18 win over Butuan City in the semis.

Nueva Ecija needed a Jai Reyes game-winning two-pointer to escape with a 21-19 win over Bicol in the quarters, then dispatched a game Pasig in the semis, 22-13.

Completing the side-events for the second leg is David Carlos claiming the TM Slam Dunk title.

The third leg takes place on Sunday afternoon.

The Scores:

ZAMBOANGA CITY 21 -- Pasaol 8, Santillan 7, Munzon 4, Rike 2.

NUEVA ECIJA 11 -- Banal 7, Reyes 3, Gonzaga 1, Sabellina 0.