Uratex Dream, XD secure automatic Manila Hustle quarterfinal spots

c/o Manila Hustle

URATEX Dream and XD were the first two teams to book quarterfinal spots in Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 3 after topping their respective pools during the early portion of preliminary action Saturday at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Kaye Pingol, the country’s top-ranked women’s 3x3 player, guided the Dream to a perfect 3-0 run in Pool B to earn the outright ticket to the final eight.

She was unstoppable in their 18-10 rout of New Zealand Creamery before hurdling Shoot It Dragons, 21-17, and a dominant 21-12 win over Jumpshot Singapore in this tourney co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“Yung Dream talaga ngayon is sobrang mature. Marunong na kami mag-close out ng games and alam na namin kung paano mag-adjust para makuha pa rin yung panalo,” said Pingol, who linked up with Afril Bernardino, Sam Harada, and Chinese center Li Renzhu in the undefeated stretch.

XD of Japan also did the same feat after going spotless in Pool A, including a thrilling 21-19 overtime win over Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 U23.

Momoko Saito scored the last four points for the Japanese crew, including the OT-forcing drive in the final 10 seconds to stun their younger foes.

XD earlier flaunted its muscle with a 21-7 mugging of Army Altama before an 18-11 nipping of Dinoman Hansol of Korea.

Making it through to the qualification to the quarterfinals are Dinoman Hansol (2-1) and Gilas Womens 3x3 U23 (1-2) from Pool A, as well as Jumpshot (2-1) and Shoot It Dragons (1-2) from Pool B.

Army Altama and New Zealand Creamery, both winless in their respective pools, have been eliminated from the Philippine women’s 3x3 international invitational which also has Titan as official partner, together with Wilson, Seiko, B’lue, Secret Fresh, BDO, Jollibee, TRYP by Wyndham, Jisulife, Rexona, Senka, and Laurin.

The afternoon session, which features teams from Pool C and Pool D, are still playing their group stage games as of press time.