Favorites advance in President's Cup Grand Finals quarterfinals

Nueva Ecija's Jai Reyes leads the Rice Vanguards

The top four teams of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM took care of business inside the bubble at INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba on Friday, as they won their respective quarterfinal matchups.

The most competitive quarterfinal matchup saw second seed Uling Roasters-Butuan eke out a 16-15 win against Bacolod-Master Sardines, 16-15.

With the game tied at 11 inside the final two minutes, Chris de Chavez drew a foul from Robin Rono, and with Bacolod in the penalty, it meant free throws for Butuan. De Chavez would convert both to establish a 13-11 lead that they never relinquished.

Franky Johnson would then convert a two-pointer to make it a two-possession game at 15-11.

Although Rono and Alfred Batino would chop the deficit back down late, time ran out and Butuan held on for the victory.

Karl Dehesa and JR Alabanza led the way with five points each, as they booked a matchup against Nueva Ecija in the semifinals.

The third-seeded Rice Vanguards dispatched Petra Cement-Roxas ZN, 21-14 in just under seven minutes.

Gab Banal topped Nueva Ecija with nine points, while Mac Sabelina closed out strong with five of the last six Nueva Ecija points to ensure there will not be an upset in this round.

The other side of the semifinal bracket features heavy favorites Zamboanga City Chooks against Pasig-Sta. Lucia.

The Family's Brand Sardines-backed quartet needed just over eight minutes to lop off Big Boss Cement-Porac, 21-11. Zamboanga City started off strong with a 12-4 opening run and never looked back.

Joshua Munzon led the quartet with twelve points. He shared afterwards, "Just executed the gameplan. We just need to continue this in the next three games."

After his explosion in the play-in round, Dylan Ababou was limited to just four markers.

The fourth-seed Realtors rode on their outside shooting to dispatch Palayan City, 21-13. Jhaps Bautista converted three two-pointers on his way to seven points, with Jeckster Apinan and Cedrick Ablaza adding six markers each.

The Zamboanga City-Pasig matchup is a reprise of the leg three quarterfinal, which the Realtors pulled off the upset.

President's Cup Grand Final set

Troy Rike is ready.

The quest for the PhP 1M is at hand with the Grand Final of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM slated for Friday morning inside the bubble at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba.

The Grand Final already has seeded the four best teams into the quarterfinals, based from the results of the four legs: Family's Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks (345 points), Uling Roasters-Butuan City (330 points), Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (240 points), and Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors (215 points).

And even though they each have earned their byes, all teams know that anything can change once the action begins.

Franky Johnson shared at the Media Day on Thursday, "We expect that any team can go all the way. We don't underestimate any team. We respect all these teams and what can they do."

Troy Rike says, "We're going for the championship. We have all the talent, all the tools, all the experience to do it. It's not gonna be easy. Other teams are gonna go for it too, but for us, we're gunning for that championship."

The remaining eight teams were then matched up as well based on their performance and will have to play themselves into the quarters.

8-seeds Big Boss Cement-Porac MSC and 9-seed Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes MLV kick things off, followed by 5-seed Palayan City Capitals against 12-seed MLV Pagadian Rocky Sports, 6-seed Sarangani Marlins against 11-seed Petra Cement-Roxas ZN Rockies, and 7-seed Bacolod-Master Sardines against 10-seed Bicol Paxful 3x3 Pro.

Considered as heavy favorites, Zamboanga City has already racked up PhP 350,000 in winnings from the previous legs. The tournament is considered as a major part of their preparations for their upcoming Olympic Qualifiers slated next year.

Aside from the PhP 1M windfall, the league will hand out PhP 300,000 for the losing finalist, and PhP 100,000 for the third place finisher.

The TM side events will also take place, with the trio of David Carlos, Darwin Cantong, and Jesus Manay battling it out once again for the PhP 20,000 Slam Dunk Contest, whilst PhP 10,000 awaits the winner of the Two-Point Shootout.

Coverage starts at 11am and will be streamed worldwide through FIBA 3x3 YouTube, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas' Facebook page, and on BEAM TV Ch. 31.

Zamboanga City claims President's Cup fourth leg

Alvin Pasaol taking a jumper against Butuan City in the final.

Zamboanga City reclaimed its dominance of the Chooks Pilipinas 3x3 scene by claiming the fourth leg of the President's Cup powered by TM at the bubble inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba.

The Family's Brand Sardines-backed team eked out a 21-20 victory over Butuan City on Tuesday, with Leonard Santillan nailing the clinching point off a free throw at the 7:27 mark.

That point was much needed after Chris de Chavez nailed back-to-back two pointers to tie things up at twenty. Zamboanga City had led 20-16 with a two-pointer from Joshua Munzon to cap off his eleven-point outing with 3.5 minutes left.

Munzon had the chance to win, but he missed the two-pointer. Santillan was fouled in claiming the offensive board, and with the Uling Roasters-backed side in the penalty, he converted the charity shot for his sixth point to clinch Zamboanga City's third title out of the four legs played.

He shared afterwards, "Nung unang game pa lang, bad start na kami so yung next games, kinailangan naming mag-adjust. Mula nun, binigay namin yung 100 percent."

Family’s Brand Sardines- Zamboanga City Chooks sits on the throne once more as it ruled over Leg 4 of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup powered by TM.

Santi Santillan’s hustle keyed Zamboanga City’s return to the mountaintop, with his offensive rebound and ensuing free throw proving to be the difference against Butuan City, 21-20 (7:27), Tuesday inside the INSPIRE Sports Academy here.

“Nung unang game pa lang, bad start na kami so yung next games, kinailangan naming mag-adjust,” said Santillan. “Mula nun, binigay namin yung 100 percent.”

Troy Rike adds, "When we lost that game, I felt like the world was crashing down. But I just reminded myself that if we take care of business, we’re right we need to be even after a bump on the road."

The team, composed of the members of the national team pool for the Olympic Qualifiers, officially claimed the top seed in the Grand Final slated for later this week.

To make it to the final, Zamboanga City dispatched Zamboanga Peninsula, 21-16 in the quarterfinals and Sarangani in the semifinals, 21-13. Butuan City held off Nueva Ecija 21-20 in the quarters and Palayan City in the semis, 21-10.

Both teams received PhP 100,000, with Butuan earning the special incentive from Bounty Agro-Ventures, Inc. president Ronald Mascarinas for being the team that faced Zamboanga City in the finals.

De Chavez led all scorers with twelve points, while Karl Dehesa and JR Alabanza each added four points for Butuan City.

The success of both teams has allowed them to secure a bye into the quarterfinals, with the Rice Vanguards and Pasig-Sta. Lucia also snagging the remaining two available byes for Friday's Grand Final, which will feature the "Million Peso Game" at the end.

As for the remaining eight teams, they have been seeded into their respective play-in matches based from the results of all four legs.

As for the TM side events, Roider Cabrera nailed the second perfect round in the President's Cup to claim the title to defeat Karl Dehesa. He joins fellow Adamson and Petra Cement-Roxas ZN teammate Janus Lozada in pulling off the Two-Point Shootout feat.

For the Slam Dunk Contest, David Carlos claimed his third crown out of the four legs. 

THE SCORES

ZAMBOANGA CITY 21 -- Munzon 11, Santillan 6, Pasaol 3, Rike 1.

BUTUAN CITY 20 -- De Chavez 12, Dehesa 4, Alabanza 4, Lanete 0.

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.

Nueva Ecija tops Pool C in President's Cup fourth leg

Gab Banal steps up in the clutch for Nueva Ecija.

Already assured of a spot in the knockout rounds, Nueva Ecija made sure that they finished on top, escaping with a 21-19 victory over Pasig-Sta. Lucia in the final stretch of pool play of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Tuesday.

The Realtors took advantage of the Rice Vanguards' penalty situation to erase an 10-17 deficit into an 18-17 lead.

However, Gab Banal stepped up with a couple of two-pointers to clinch the victory with just over a minute left. The ninth-ranked 3x3 player in the Philippines finished with eleven points.

He shared afterwards about allowing Pasig to come back from their deficit, "Mental lapse but it's tough to think when you're tired."

The win sets up Nueva Ecija's quarterfinal matchup against Butuan City, while Pasig will face Sarangani for their matchup.

The Uling Roasters-backed quartet kept their back-to-back leg championship hopes alive as they knocked out Bacolod-Master Sardines, 21-16.

Chris de Chavez led Butuan with eleven points. He shared about the mindset into their matchup against Bacolod, "Like I said, in the first game we didn't bring our one-hundred percent. We needed to bring our all in this game." They had lost their opening assignment to Sarangani earlier in the day, 19-21.

Zamboanga City continued their impressive form in the fourth leg, needing just over five minutes to demolish Pagadian City-Rocky Sports, 21-7. The win sets up a matchup against Zamboanga Peninsula in the quarterfinals.

Big Boss Cement-Porac nipped the Valientes, 21-19 in the other remaining pool matchup. The Green Gorillas will face Palayan City in the quarterfinals.

Aside from the knockout rounds, the TM side events will still take place, the Two-Point Shootout, and the Slam Dunk Contest.

In a battle of the last two runners-up in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup powered by TM, it was Gab Banal who proved to be the difference.

The ninth-ranked 3x3 player in the country did not allow Nueva Ecija to fall to Pasig-Sta. Lucia, carrying his side to a thrilling 21-19 (8:58), Tuesday at the INSPIRE Sports Academy here.

This is the first time in three legs that Bacolod City, who did not have Alfred Batino for the stop, did not make the next round that has P100,000 waiting for the winner.

Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks completed its sweep of Pool D with a dominant 21-7 (5:06) romp of the still winless Pagadian City Rocky Sports.

Besides the playoffs, also taking place as of publishing is the TM side events – Slam Dunk Contest and Two-Point Shootout.

Zamboanga City barely escapes Palayan City in President's Cup fourth leg opener

Munzon bails out Zamboanga City

Zamboanga City was on the verge of being upset again in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Tuesday afternoon, but Joshua Munzon prevented that from happening.

The top 3x3 baller in the Philippines aided the Family's Brand Sardines-backed quartet to a 19-17 overtime victory over Palayan City in their opening pool play match for the fourth leg.

After converting a free throw off a JP Sarao foul, a Bobby Balucanag turnover Munzon then swooped towards the basket for his eighth point and the game-clinching basket.

He shared after the game, "It's having some slow starts but it's not how you start, it’s how you finish."

Smarting from their quarterfinal defeat to Pasig-Sta. Lucia in the third leg, Munzon adds, "We are going through what every team goes, the highs and the lows. Just got to go through it."

Zamboanga City trailed 9-16 with three minutes left, but three straight two-pointers from Troy Rike, Leonard Santillan, and Munzon reduced the deficit to a solitary point.

Santillan would then force overtime at 17-all through his trademark hook with 13.6 seconds remaining.

In other early pool play action, Marvin Hayes connected on four two-pointers to power Sarangani to a 21-13 win over Bacolod-Masters Sardines, avenging their 20-21 nailbiter of a defeat in the quarterfinals of the previous leg.

Also winning their matchups are Zamboanga Valientes MLV, who beat Petra Cement-Roxas ZN, 21-11, and Nueva Ecija, who beat Bicol-Paxful 3x3 Pro, 21-13.

Pasig stuns Zamboanga City in President's Cup quarters

Pasig is through to the semifinals.

The President's Cup will have a second team winning in its tournament.

Pasig-Sta. Lucia upset Family's Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City in the quarterfinals of the third leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup on Sunday, 21-18.

The Realtors were trailing 11-18 with 2:45 left on the clock after a bucket from Leonard Santillan, but they turned up the defense to frustrate the national team quartet into misses and miscues. At the same time, the duo of Jeckster Apinan and Felix Apreku powered the comeback and complete the upset by scoring the final ten points of the game.

The latter shared after the game, "Depensa lang talaga and heart manalo."

Pasig will face off against Palayan City in the semifinals after the Capitals toppled sister team Nueva Ecija, 21-14.

Bobby Balucanag and Clark Derige took advantage of their size and imposed their will against the Rice Vanguards, netting a combined thirteen points in the win.

The former shared afterwards, "Mas intense yung laban namin kasi sister teams kami e. Nilaro lang namin yung advantage namin sa loob kaya siguro kami nanalo."

The other semifinal matchup features a couple of former finalists.

Preseason runner-up Bacolod-Master Sardines nipped Sarangani, 21-20, as Choi Ignacio scored the game-winner with just over a minute remaining. The Marlins had reached the hill first behind the efforts of Pamboy Raymundo before Ignacio's heroics.

First leg runner-up Uling Roasters-Butuan City topped Zamboanga Peninsula, 21-14. Franky Johnson torched the Valientes for eleven points.

Janus Lozada made it back-to-back winners for Petra Cement-Roxas ZN in the TM Two-Point Shootout, as he completed the first perfect stint in the competition by knocking down all ten attempts.

He joins Chris de Chavez and Roider Cabrera as leg winners in this particular side event.

President's Cup third leg set today

Can anyone stop Zamboanga City?

Even with their current success in the 2020 Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Pilipinas President's Cup powered by TM, expect no letup from Family's Brand Sardines Zamboanga City Chooks as the league enters its third leg Sunday afternoon at the bubble setup inside INSPIRE Sports Academy.

Alvin Pasaol shares, "Di kami masyadong confident kahit tatlong panalo na kami. Sa next leg namin, mas hihigitan pa namin yung effort namin ngayon."

Zamboanga City has won both legs so far this week, as well as the preseason tournament. The quartet composed of national team pool members Pasaol, Joshua Munzon, Leonard Santillan, and Troy Rike are using the league to prepare themselves for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament slated to take place next year.

The fan favorite adds, "Kailangan naming ma-sweep ito, yun yung nasa utak namin. Kailangang ipakita sa lahat na nire-represent namin ang Pilipinas. Ito na yung training ground namin e kumbaga para pagdating sa OQT tsaka Tokyo Olympics, makakalaban tayo."

Zamboanga City will be facing Bacolod-Master Sardines and Bicol-Paxful 3x3 Pro in Pool C, with all three teams having earned spots in the knockout rounds on the previous leg.

Second leg finalists Nueva Ecija seek a return trip in the third leg, but to pull that off, they will need to survive Zamboanga Peninsula Valientes-MLV and Pagadian-Rocky Sports in Pool B.

First leg finalists Uling Roasters-Butuan City will be facing Palayan City Capitals and Petra Cement Roxas ZN in Pool D.

In Pool A, Joining Big Boss Cement-Porac MSC Green Gorillas are Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors and Sarangani Marlins.

Champions will receive PhP 100,000. However, if Zamboanga City is in the finals, the team facing them there will also receive that amount. A new wrinkle in the competition sees a PhP 10,000 incentive for the team who wins their game the quickest, called the Chooks-to-Go Delivery Fastest Game.

Also set to take place on Sunday are the two side-events: the TM Two-Point Shootout and the TM Slam Dunk Contest. The latter sees David Carlos attempt to fend off first leg champion Darwin Cantong and Jesus Manay for the PhP 20,000 prize.

Telecast starts at 1pm on BEAM Ch. 31, the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas page on Facebook, and the FIBA 3x3 YouTube account.

Zamboanga City claims President's Cup second leg

Still unmatched. 2/2 for Zamboanga City in the President's Cup

Zamboanga City claimed the second leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup powered by TM on Friday, but they had to fend off a game Nueva Ecija side in the final, 21-11.

Alvin Pasaol finished with eight points for the Family's Brand Sardines-backed squad, highlighted by a two-pointer over Tonino Gonzaga for the win. Leonard Santillan added seven markers, five of which came in a span of four minutes that allowed Zamboanga City to go on a 12-5 run to establish an 18-9 lead.

The matchup had its intense moments, none moreso than what took place involving Pasaol, Santillan, Gonzaga, and Gab Banal.

In trying to secure a rebound, Banal fouls Santillan, which led both to fall to the floor and both players unable to extricate themselves out of. Pasaol then came close to push off Banal, followed by Gonzaga warding Pasaol off.

Game officials then reviewed the situation as a whole via video review and awarded a regular foul to Banal and unsportsmanlike technical fouls to both Pasaol and Gonzaga.

Once play resumed, Banal managed to reduce the deficit to 11-19, but Pasaol's jumper over Gonzaga secured the title and the accompanying PhP 100,000 prize.

When asked about the perception of the 3x3 game being more intense than many thought it would be, the former UAAP scoring champion had this to say, "Hindi ito larong bata. Para sa mga hindi nakakaintindi ng 3x3, wag niyo na lang kami panoorin. Tuloy-tuloy lang naman yung laro kahit anong mangyari. Kailangan naming manalo rito kasi ito na yung preparation para sa Tokyo Olympics."

Even with the loss, with the special incentive league owner Ronald Mascarinas put in place for the other remaining teams, the Rice Vanguards also secured PhP 100,000.

Both teams survived tough competition in the knockout rounds heading into the final.

Zamboanga City eked out a 21-16 win over Bacolod in the quarters and needed a 12-2 run to escape with a 21-18 win over Butuan City in the semis.

Nueva Ecija needed a Jai Reyes game-winning two-pointer to escape with a 21-19 win over Bicol in the quarters, then dispatched a game Pasig in the semis, 22-13.

Completing the side-events for the second leg is David Carlos claiming the TM Slam Dunk title.

The third leg takes place on Sunday afternoon.

The Scores:

ZAMBOANGA CITY 21 -- Pasaol 8, Santillan 7, Munzon 4, Rike 2.

NUEVA ECIJA 11 -- Banal 7, Reyes 3, Gonzaga 1, Sabellina 0.