Nueva Ecija survives Bacolod in President's Cup quarters

Jai Reyes still got that explosive jumper.

Nueva Ecija needed some late drama to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the second leg in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM inside the bubble setup at the INSPIRE Sports Academy.

Jai Reyes' two-pointer over Mon Mabayo with under two minutes remaining clinched a 21-19 come-from-behind victory for the Rice Vanguards against Bicol-Paxful 3x3 Pro.

It capped a 5-0 run that lasted around a couple of minutes. An Alwin Alday deep shot allowed Bicol to take a 19-16 lead with under four minutes, but Gab Banal and Mac Sabelina scored back-to-back layups to reduce the deficit to a solitary point. Reyes then tied the game with a layup, setting things up for his game-winning heroics. Nueva Ecija's team manager would finish with eight points in the victory.

Sabelina also finished with eight points for the Rice Vanguards. He shared afterwards, "Sinunod lang namin yung game plan namin. Tinrabaho lang namin."

Nueva Ecjia will face Pasig-Sta. Lucia in the semifinals, as the Realtors downed Big Boss Cement-Porac, 21-13.

Cedrick Ablaza clinched the win for Pasig with a left elbow jumper with 105 seconds remaining.

In the other semifinal matchup, Zamboanga City and Butuan City set up a rematch of the first leg final after dispatching their quarterfinal opposition in similar fashion.

The national pool side backed by Family's Brand Sardines bested Bacolod-Master Sardines, 21-16. Joshua Munzon scored nine points, including the game-clincher with just over two minutes left.

Uling Roasters-backed Butuan escaped with a 21-17 win over Sarangani. Franky Johnson nailed an off-balance two-pointer to secure the win with over two minutes left.

In one of two side-events within the second leg, Roider Cabrera clinched the TM Two-Point Shootout in clutch fashion, converting the final ball for his eighth point. The Adamson alumnus beat out Dylan Ababou for the PhP 10,000 prize.