Members of the Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City squad are relishing the new experience they have after the fourth leg honors of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup.
Troy Rike and Santi Santillan said this is the first time for them to bounce back from a championship loss after they put away a Butuan City, 21-20, on Tuesday inside the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
“When we lost that game, I felt like the world was crashing down. And if we won today, we will become the top-seeded team again. So, we had to take care of the ball,” said Troy Rike on Zoom, and as he recalled Zamboanga City’s 18-21 setback to Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors in the third leg semifinals.
Joshua Munzon showed the way in that game, scoring a game-high 11 points, including a perimeter shot with less than four minutes left, 20-16.
“Marami kaming natutunan at nadala sa laro namin. Hindi namin dapat ina-underestimate ang aming mga kalaban,” said Santillan.
It was Santillan’s hustle play that allowed Zamboanga City to grab the win, through his offensive rebound and ensuing free throw.
Zamboanga City arranged a finals match after turning back Sarangani, 21-13, in the semis and ousting Zamboanga Peninsula in the quarterfinals
Butuan City fought off Nueva Ecija, 21-20, before repulsing Palayan City, 21-10 (8:57) in the semis.
Because of their fourth-leg win, the Zambos will no longer go through the qualifying round of the Grand Finals in the FIBA 3×3-endorsed tournament that is scheduled for Friday.
The Zamboanga cagers are in serious contention in the winner-take-all tournament, with P1 million on the line.
Also in the grand finals are Uling Roasters-Butuan City, Nueva Ecija-Rice Vanguards, and the Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors.
