Valientes snare 2nd title in Australia

MANILA, Philippines — The Zamboanga Valientes continued their historic ride in Australia basketball.

Proving they’re not a one-hit wonder, the Valientes trounced the Clippers, 21-12, in the final Saturday night to rule the CLB 3x3 in Bendigo City and become the first Philippine team to win in the Champions League Basketball in Australia.

It was the second title for the Valientes, composed of Christopher Concepcion, Eric Miraflores, Duwom Dawan and Adam Kempton, who also topped the 3x3 Christmas Street Hustle in Canberra last December.

While the Valientes overpowered the local side, they barely survived the South Sudan team in the semifinals.

Zamboanga forced overtime at 17-17 on a Dawan conversion. Team skipper Concepcion, pride of Tumaga, Zamboanga City, then took over by drilling in a jumper from rainbow territory for the 19-17 victory.

Training tirelessly even during the holidays under coach and team-co-owner Junnie Navarro, the Valientes dumped Formosa, composed of players from Chinese Taipei, 21-5, in the opener then swept Group B with a 12-5 victory over the Australia-based Barbers Boys.