Cebu advances in Penang Challenger

Mac Tallo

Cebu Chooks! secures a berth into the knockout rounds of the FIBA 3x3 Penang Challenger on Saturday, after defeating Zavkhan MMC Energy, 18-15, at the Queensbay Mall in Malaysia.

A slow start saw Cebu trail Zavkhan, 5-0, before managing to knot things at 8-all.

Mac Tallo then decided to take control of the game, with the top-ranked Filipino in the 3x3 scene finishing with five deuces against their Mongolian opposition. He would finish with a game-high twelve points.

Brandon Ramirez and Zach Huang are credited with Cebu's remaining six points, as Vince Tolentino makes his debut without a point to his name.

Avirmed Lhagvaa paced Zavkhan with six points.

"It's a good start for our Cebu team and for Coach Chico (Lanete). They showed great heart in overcoming a slow start against their archrivals," according to Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascariñas.

Cebu earned the berth into the knockout rounds due to Zavkhan having previously lost to Liman, 21-11 to finish Pool A without a victory.

Cebu and Liman will determine who tops the pool at 650pm.

Head trainer Chico Lanete shares, "Kahit nakapasok na kami sa next round, gagawin namin ang lahat against Liman. Malalaman namin kung nasan na kami sa larong 'yun."

The Scores:

Cebu 18 - Tallo 12, Ramirez 4, Huang 2, Tolentino 0.

Zavkhan 15 - Lhagvaa 6, Bayarsaikhan 4, Tsermaa 3, Khureltogoo 2.