Palayan City sweeps pool play in President's Cup first leg

Renz Palma for Palayan City

Palayan City secures passage into the knockout rounds of the first leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM, as pool play continues inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy bubble in Calamba today.

The Capitals swept Pool C after defeating Bicol-Paxful 3x3 Pro in six minutes and twenty seconds, 21-15.

Clark Derige scored six points to lead Palayan City, with JP Sarao adding six markers. The latter scored all of them in a key stretch in the last six minutes, allowing the Capitals to break away from Bicol and erect a 19-14 lead.

Mon Mabayo scored inside to reduce the deficit to 20-15, but Derige clinch the win with his own short stab to clinch the matchup with 3:40 left.

Earlier on Wednesday, they pulled off the upset against Big Boss Cement-Porac.

Renz Palma still believes they have much room for improvement. "Ang mindset lang namin is aayusin pa namin yung dapat ayusin."

In Pool D, Bacolod-Master Sardines nipped Petra Cement Roxas-ZN Rockies, 21-17. Bacolod's win allows Nueva Ecija a free pass to the knockout rounds and a potential sister team matchup.

In Pool B, Pasig-Sta. Lucia defeated Pagadian-Rocky Sports MLV to send them into the knockout rounds, 21-13. Pasig's win also secures idle Butuan-Uling Roasters a berth into the next round.

Heavy favorites Family's Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks defeated Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes-MLV, 21-14.