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.
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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