ALVIN Pasaol made true to his promise and ended Wilkins Balanga's heartaches.
The world no. 136 scored the game-winning bucket to lift his side to a thrilling 21-19 victory over rival Equalivet Pasig to win the Grand Finals of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Magiting Cup, presented by Coca-Cola Friday at SM Megamall Events Center in Mandaluyong.
"Sobrang sarap, kasi all throughout this season, Pasig talaga yung kalaban namin pero yun nga, nakaisa kami. Naka-tsamba kami," said Pasaol as the Pure finally broke through after finishing as bridesmaids in both the President's and Patriot's Cups.
How fitting was it that the super scorer out of UE was the one to deliver the coup de grace, shaking off Joshua Munzon down low before knocking down the undergoal stab with 1:43 left to play.
That was the biggest of his 12 points in the championship round as he was named as the Tournament MVP.
More importantly, Wilkins Balanga finally claimed the biggest one after ruling two legs in the third conference, losing only once through 18 matches.
But it wasn't just him, as Karl Dehesa poured five points, none more crucial than his deuce with 1:58 remaining that put his side on the hill, 20-19.
Santi Santillan added four, while Chris de Chavez, although went scoreless, gave the Pure the much needed brute in the Finals.
Other than the P1-million cash prize, Balanga also earned a ticket to the 2019 Jeju Challenger in Korea slated on October 5 and 6.
Dylan Ababou led Equalivet Pasig with 10 points, as Munzon was held to just two.
The Kings, though, still took home the P500,000 prize before flying for Taiwan for the Kaohsiung Challenger.
Fyr Fyter Bacolod brought home P250,000 for finishing in third place.
Balanga survived a tough challenge from Basilan Phenom CTC Construction in the semifinals, 21-18, while Pasig took down Bacolod, 21-19, in their own matchup.
Meanwhile, David Carlos swept the Chooks-to-Go Harissa Roast Dunk Contest, while Adrian Celada of Bacolod snared the Two-Point Shootout title.
The Scores:
BALANGA 21 -- Pasaol 12, Dehesa 5, Santillan 4, De Chavez 0.
PASIG 19 -- Ababou 10, Alabanza 6, Munzon 2, De Vera 1.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
