ZOOS Tokyo proved that it still owns the peak after ruling Manila Hustle 3x3 Season 3 on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
With MVP Ama Degbeon leading the way, the Japanese club got the better of Panthers 3x3, 17-13, to emerge as back-to-back champions in the Philippine women’s 3x3 international invitational co-presented by Uratex, Smart, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Degbeon takes charge
Degbeon, ranked No. 55 in the world, ignited Zoos’ blazing 6-2 start and kept the Spanish crew at bay with her defense down low.
Maya Tahira would deliver the knockout blow with a nifty basket with 1:50 to go to make it a 15-9 affair and deny the Ari Geli-led side a comeback.
“This year was a lot different but I think we’re still the same Zoos team. Same team, same philosophy,” said Degbeon as her crew, which also included Miran Kikuchi and Fatoumanana Nishi in place of Season 2 MVP Aoi Katsura, took home the USD4,000 cash prize and an invite to the WKBL Triple Jam later this year.
Degbeon was joined by Panthers’ Saicha Grant-Allen and Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women’s Camille Clarin in the tournament’s Mythical Three.
Panthers 3x3 did not go home empty handed as the team, which also included Paris Olympian Kacie Bosch and Fiba 3x3 Women’s Series veteran Christina Buttenham, got USD2,500 for the bridesmaid finish.
Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Women also made the podium as it clipped Tokyo BB, 20-12, in the bronze-medal game.
Clarin made sure that the home crowd will have something to cheer about, putting the team on her back with her 11 points in the third place game.
“Considering that this is our first tournament of the year and we made it to the podium means that it’s a great start for us,” said the National U standout as Gilas Women, which also had Jhaz Joson, Hazelle Yam, and Mikka Cacho, took home USD1,500.
It’s a sweet consolation for the Nationals which were the last team standing among the seven local squads in the 16-team tournament which has Titan as official partner, together with Wilson, Seiko, B’lue, Secret Fresh, BDO, Jollibee, TRYP by Wyndham, Jisulife, Rexona, Senka, and Laurin.
David Carlos ruled the Slam Dunk Contest before the main event, getting the better of Ashon Andrews and Aldous Torculas where DJ Bigboy Cheng, Alyssa Valdez, and Jared Dillinger served as judges.
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