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    Alvin Pasaol turning into fan favorite as Balanga slays 3x3 giants

    Alvin Pasaol turning into fan favorite as Balanga slays 3x3 giants
    Apr 19, 2019

    ALVIN Pasaol was all heart in Day One of the Doha Masters in the 2019 Fiba 3x3 World Tour, helping spur Balanga Chooks' two-game sweep over fancied foes in Qatar.

    "Kahit dehado na dehado na kami, pinakita namin na ang pusong Pilipino ay hindi titiklop ng ganun-ganun lang," he said.

    Pasaol was instrumental in Balanga Chooks' 19-17 win over world No. 3 Riga Ghetto of Latvia, before playing the hero's role in its 20-19 overtime victory over 15th-ranked Moscow Inanomo of Russia to go 2-0 in Pool C.

    It was in the game against the Russians where the 23-year-old Pasaol turned into a fan favorite, captivating the crowd inside Katara Amphitheatre.

    With Santi Santillan out for the game due to a sprained left ankle, Pasaol scored the final three points in regulation that almost got Balanga Chooks the win.

    But he saved his best for last.

    With the Filipinos trailing 19-18 in overtime, the UE super scorer caught a pass from Travis Franklin buried the game-winning long bomb, celebrating with his now-famed "kakain" gesture before doing a slit-throat to a rowdy Russian fan.

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      Pasaol, however, knows that Day One success mean nothing as the tournament shifts to a knockout playoffs format for Day Two.

      Drawn against world No. 1 Liman of Serbia in the quarterfinals, he's aware that Balanga Chooks once again will have their hands full, especially with Santillan still in doubt for the 11:15 p.m. tiff.

      "Mahirap kung wala si Dodong," he said. "Pero gagawin namin ang makakaya namin. Lalaban pa rin kami."

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