Bocaue, Bulacan– Team Pilipinas bounced back from a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Canadians with a 19-12 victory over Russia that put their third seed foes out of contention in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup at the Philippine Arena here last night.
Troy Rosario and Stanley Pringle got the host team to a hot start with a pair of two-pointers that helped them move out of range, 4-1. From there, Team Pilipinas fought tooth and nail to stay ahead en route to the win.
Team Pilipinas, with Pringle showing the way with nine points, went on to finish third in Pool C with its 2-2 win-loss record and missed the quarterfinals.
The Russians, with Victor Pavlenko making six points, settled for fourth at 1-3, and missed a chance to earn the last quarterfinal berth via a better tiebreak record with Mongolia.
As a result, Mongolia joined Canada in the quarterfinals after its 19-16 win over winless Brazil, with Delgernyam Davaasambuu showing the way with nine points.
“Nagpapasalamat ako na naipanalo namin iyung huling game. Sayang lang iyung Canada, kasi nasa atin na sana. Kinuha pa sa atin. Dapat matuto sa experience,” said Team Pilipinas cager RR Pogoy.
Canada went on to complete at 4-game sweep of Pool C after handing Brazil a 22-4 rout, and with Steve Sir and Michael Linklater scoring eight points each.
They earlier handed the hosts a heartbreaking 20-19 edging.
Standhardinger's drive past Pavlenko and his crossover attack off Maksim Dybovskii in the 6:30 saw the host squad move up, 6-2, against the Russians.
Four two-pointers from Pringle and Rosario then allowed the Philippines to cut loose, 14-3, with 3:54 left.
