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    Balanga rallies past Pasig to reclaim 3x3 Cup leg title

    Karl Dehesa, Alvin Pasaol propel Balanga Chooks back on top in MelMac Cup
    Oct 30, 2019

    BALANGA reclaimed the throne from rival Pasig to clinch the penultimate leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 MelMac Cup Season 2 in comeback fashion, 21-19, Wednesday afternoon at Gold's Gym Sheridan in Mandaluyong.

    Freed by a screen, Alvin Pasaol fired the game-winning deuce from the left wing with 3:47 remaining for its fourth overall title in five legs in the tourney, which is also presented by Gold's Gym and Coca-Cola.

    However, it was Karl Dehesa's nine points, including some key free throws down the stretch, that propelled the Pure to another P100,000 prize at the expense of the top 3x3 club in the country.

    "It's always a good feeling to win a good championship, especially against a tough team like Pasig," said Dehesa. "Its always good to beat them. Hats off to the team."

    Pasig, which looked calm and collected throughout the day, quickly zoomed to a 10-3 advantage capped off by a line-drive deuce by Franky Johnson.

    Balanga then managed to uncork a 6-0 blast to bridge the gap to one, 10-9, before Joshua Munzon scored inside to increase the lead back to two.

    Munzon's jumper from beyond the arc then extended the lead to 14-10, before Aris Dionisio and Dehesa connived to tie the game at 14.

    The Kings were then whistled for their seventh team foul midway through the contest, and it became the deciding factor down the stretch.

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    Dehesa completed the and-one play to give the Pure the 17-16 lead, but the Kings managed to tie the game at 19-all following a booming tomahawk jam by Munzon.

    That only led to Pasaol delivering the winner for Balanga as it beat Pasig for the third time in four championship duels this season.

    Munzon, the top 3x3 player in the country, paced Pasig's offense with 12 markers to take home the P30,000 incentive.

    Mindoro Tamaraws ended up third for P20,000.

    Thursday's leg will be the curtain closer for the Philippines' bid for a spot in the inaugural 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

    FIBA will announce the 24 entrants on Friday, November 1.

    Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

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