MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Chooks’ valiant fight fell short against Ub, 17-21 (8:53), in the 2022 Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters, Saturday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Mac Tallo strapped the home team on his back with 11 points in a dazzling showing that wowed the crowd, including one that saw him send the defense on the floor following a dribbling showcase that ultimately gave them an early lead.
The Philippines’ top-ranked 3×3 player went on to lift his side to a 14-12 advantage following a deuce from the right wing with 3:59 remaining.
Unfortunately, Tallo and Co. couldn’t sustain the momentum. The world’s no. 1 team went on to flex its experience, with Dejan Majstorovic leading the way.
The bemedaled halfcourt veteran responded with a two-pointer of his own, then scored a bucket inside to give Ub the 15-14 edge, 3:20 to play.
Marko Brankovic stretched their lead to three as he calmly sank two free throws, making Cebu pay for garnering its seventh foul.
Tallo and Mike Harry Nzeusseu still tried to put up a fight, but there was no stopping Ub anymore. Majstorovic put his crew on the hill with a two-pointer before delivering the final blow through a lay-up with 1:08 left.
A member of the disbanded Novi Sad crew, Majstorovic powered Ub with 12 points in the win that gave them the early lead in Pool A (1-0).
The loss has put Cebu (0-1) in a must-win situation against Zavkhan MMC Energy of Mongolia later at 7:00 p.m.
Meanwhel, world no. 2 Antwerp showed its pedigree in beating qualifying draw winner Melbourne, 19-15, to open Pool B action.
Rafael Bogaerts and Thibaut Vervoort took turns in scoring over Melbourne, scoring seven and six points, respectively.
The Scores:
Pool A Game 1:
Ub 21 – Majstorovic 12, Brankovic 5, Barać 4, Stojacic 0.
Cebu 17 – Tallo 11, Nzeusseu 5, Ramirez 1, Huang 0.
Time: Majstorovic (8:53)
Pool B Game 1:
Antwerp 19 – Bogaerts 7, Vervoort 6, Celis 4, Augustijnen 2.
Melbourne 15 – Hire 6, Wagstaff 5, Steel 2, Wilks 2.
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