SHS-Ateneo rules Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan

CEBU, Philippines - Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu 1 won the inaugural Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan, overcoming University of Southern Philippines Foundation-A  8-6, in a nail-biting championship game at Barangay Opao Gym in Mandaue City. The close championship capped a full day of fiesta like activities that included 3-on-3 games, activities and sidelights.

The finals was even at the start until USPF-A opened a 4-2 lead. Andrew Velasco then tied the game at 4-all on a clutch two-point basket. Josh Sinclair and Steven Co scored two straight baskets to give SHS-AdC some breathing room at 6-4, but John Paul Isok replied with a two-pointer to tie the game with 54 seconds left in the game. Sinclair added a free throw with 48 seconds left, before Co added a reverse lay-up with 28 seconds left for the final tally.

Sinclair had four points to lead SHS-AdC while Velasco added two. Co and Travis Mantua had one point each. Isok and John Bryle Bahio led USPF-A with three points each.

The team won P10,000 and a trip to the Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan national finals set May 24-25 in Manila.

 SHS-AdC qualified for the crossover quarterfinals stage after topping Group A. They defeated Red Masters, 9-3, in the quarterfinals before nipping X-Men Passerelle, 13-11 in overtime in the semifinals. USPF-A was the second seed from Group A and stopped Group B’s third seed Choi BB Jerd Kinu, 17-9, in the quarterfinals. The Panthers upended SHS-Ateneo 2, 9-6, in the semifinals.

The top four teams of the seven-team groups qualified for the playoffs. SHS-Ateneo was Group A’s top seed with a 5-1 record, followed by USPF-A (4-2), X-Men Passerelle (4-2) and SHS-Ateneo 2 (4-2). Group B was topped by surprise team Dalaguete which went 5-1, trailed by USC (5-1), Choi BB Jerd Kinu (4-2) and Red Masters (3-3). 

In the side events, Ethan Gomez of   USPF-C went home with an ear-to-ear smile after winning the half-court shot contest and P5,000. Gomez was the first qualifier to make a halfcourt shot in the preliminary rounds and repeated the feat in the final round against Kinu Tamarra and Ralf Camacho, both of Choi BB Jerd Kinu team. Six cellphones were also raffled off during the event. The fiesta atmosphere also included a sing-a-long videoke booth, a photo studio booth and a roleta contest.

The Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan is for Under 18 or players or 1996 or younger. Some 20 local champions will converge in the national finals which will be held in Manila. It has been identified as a major activity of  the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) with the FIBA’s recent thrust to push 3X3 games. (FREEMAN)