Balanga-Wilkins took its fourth crown last Saturday in the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriot’s Cup at the SM Megamall Events Center.
They posted a 21-17 win over arch-rival Pasig Kings-Gold’s Gym with one minute and 26 seconds to go.
Returning player Santi Santillan, who missed the first three legs, chipped in crucial shots that backed up Alvin Pasaol’s efforts.
“Malaking bagay ni Santi kasi lalo kaming lumaki. Grabe din ‘yung mga shots niya,” said Pasaol, who showed the way with eight points.
With Balanga trailing, 8-9, midway in the finals, Santillan struck with a quick deuce, touching off a 7-2 blast that Bataan team a four-point edge, 15-11.
Pasig’s Taylor Statham and Joshua Munzon rallied their squad back to within two with 2:29 remaining, 16-18.
After Prince Orizu scored again for Pasig, Pasaol sent Balanga to the championship-point with 1:55 left.
Pasaol knocked in a two-pointer that sailed past Nikola Pavlovic and Taylor Statham with 1:26 to spare.
This earned Balanga-Wilkins the P100,000 pot.
Pasig and Balanga will enter the Grand Finals on July 27 still at SM Megamall as the second and third seeds, respectively.
Both are tied with 310 points.
Balanga dropped VetHealth-Delhi 3BL down to solo fourth (290 points) after taking a thrilling 21-20 (1:04) semifinal win.
In the other bracket, Pasig eliminated third-leg champs Phenom-Basilan Steel, 17-7.