Zamboanga City returns to Chooks 3x3 President's Cup semis

The Night King soars for a layup.

Falling short in the same round on the previous leg, Family's Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks made sure that history will not repeat itself, as they pulled off a 21-16 victory over Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes-MLV in the fourth leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Tuesday.

Joshua Munzon took over for the national team pool quartet, scattering eleven points as the Valientes just unable to find an answer for the so-called Night King.

Rudy Lingganay kept hopes alive with a two-pointer to halve the deficit to 15-17, but Munzon sealed the deal with an and-1 followed by a couple of free throws.

The top-ranked Filipino in the FIBA 3x3 rankings shared afterwards, "We just gotta keep playing hard, keep giving everything we got. Every game we've played is rough, but all that matters is the win at the end of the day."

Troy Rike added five points in the victory, which pits them against Sarangani in the semifinals. The Marlins ousted Pasig-Sta. Lucia in their matchup, 21-15.

Marvin Hayes and Pamboy Raymundo sealed the deal for the first-time final four participants.

The other side of the semifinal brackets will feature third leg champions Butuan against Palayan City.

Uling Roasters-backed Butuan scored the final eight points of the game against Nueva Ecija, escaping with a 21-20 victory in just over eight minutes.

After a Tonino Gonzaga bucket put the Rice Vanguards on the hill at 20-13 with 3.5 minutes remaining, Butuan put the shackles on both Gab Banal and Jai Reyes, whilst the quartet of Chico Lanete, Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza, and Chris de Chavez each nailed a two-pointer to snatch the win and keep their hopes of back-to-back leg victories.

Lanete shared after the matchup, "Sinabi ko sa kanila na wag ma-frustrate kasi may time pa naman nun. Nag all-out lang kami sa offense at defense nun."

Palayan City earned their spot in the final four after taking care of things against Big Boss Cement-Porac, 21-12. Renz Palma clinched it for the Capitals with a layup at the 7.5-minute mark.