Cebu, Manila wind up in Top Eight

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Chooks and Manila Chooks settled for quarterfinals finishes in the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Paranãque City yesterday.

The two home teams caught the last playoff berths in thrilling fashions but could not sustain their drives against Serbia’s Liman and Mongolia’s Sansar in the Last Eight.

Led by Mac Tallo, Cebu Chooks was simply outclassed by world No. 3 Liman, 21-11, while Manila Chooks put up a gallant fight before surrendering a 21-16 defeat to Sansar.

“Kulang pa kami sa experience, kulang pa kami sa games. Magandang learning experience para sa amin ito. Ipinapangako namin na mag-i-improve pa kami at gagaling pa kami,” said Tallo, the country’s No. 1 3x3 player.

Tallo and Zach Huang tallied four markers each for Cebu while Henry Iloka paced Manila with seven points and seven rebounds.

“Sayang ‘yung chances namin kanina. Pero masaya kami na na-experience namin ito at mahaba pa naman ang season. Madami pa kaming i-improve,” said Manila guard Chico Lanete after blowing an early lead against the visitors.

The two local ball clubs dropped their opening assignments in the pool phase but notched big wins to make it to the knockout playoffs with Cebu beating Mongolia’s Zavkhan, 21-19, and Manila edging out Zaisan, 21-19.

It was a different story in the quarters, though.