MANILA – The Manila Chooks TM was eliminated from contention for the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 Montreal Masters after suffering twin defeats on Sunday at Montreal, Canada’s Place des Festivals.
Negrense Mark Yee, Mark Tallo, Dennis Santos, and Zachary Huang all made valiant attempts to keep pace with their higher-ranked opponents, but their efforts were in vain as they finished 0-2 in Pool D games.
The Aldin Ayo-coached Philippine squad began their campaign with a 21-9 loss to Belgium’s world no. 8 team Antwerp, which is made up of members of Belgium’s 3×3 team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Antwerp quickly built a double-digit lead, with Manila Chooks TM finding it difficult to convert from close range. The Philippines attempted to close the gap but got thwarted by their opponents’ tenacious defense.
Tallo led the Manila Chooks TM offense with five points, while Yee, a native of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and Huang each added three points. Dennis Santos was held scoreless.
Nick Celis, Belgium’s top player at 6-foot-5, bannered Antwerp with nine points on 7-of-8 shooting, while 6-foot-6 Thierry Marien dropped eight points on 6-of-6 shooting from the field.
Tallo willed Manila Chooks TM in the second game with booming deuces and daredevil drives, but it was not enough as they fell, 21-16, to world no. 10 Edmonton of Canada.
Both teams battled to a 16-16 tie before Canada claimed the hard-earned victory via basket by Ross Bekkering, two free throws by Steve Sir, and a game-winning shot by Alex Johnson.
Tallo scored a game-high 11 points on three deuces and four one-point shots, while Santos and Yee tallied two points each, and Huang added one for the Manila Chooks TM.
Adika Peter-McNeilly spearheaded Edmonton with seven points, six-foot-eight Dutchman fired six, and Sir and Johnson each chipped in five and three points, respectively./PN
