SAN FERNANDO. – Veteran Mark Yee’s savvy and the outside shooting of Homegrown Grains Bocaue proved to be the biggest differences against a gritty ARQ Builders-Cebu side.
Homegrown Grains Bocaue carved out a 21-16 victory over ARQ Builders-Cebu Wednesday in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational at the Laus Group Events Centre here.
Boosted by two towering imports in Frederick Elombi and Landry Sanjo, ARQ Builders-Cebu led early on, but Ralph Tansingco and Dennis Santos found their groove and knotted the match at 16-all.
Yee took charge from there, matching Sanjo’s physicality on the defensive end while making the big plays. He closed the game by sinking two free throws.
Homegrown Grains Bocaue gained the early lead in Pool B of the tournament endorsed by FIBA 3×3 and regulated by the Games and Amusements Board.
More than winning it all, Manila Chooks (flying the banner of Heihei Manila at home soil) coach Aldin Ayo is just glad the quartet of Chico Lanete, Zach Huang, Mac Tallo, and reinforced by former Lyceum prized Cameroonian center Mike Nzeusseu for the tourney, will be toughened up for 2021 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters from October 29-30.
Reserves Yee and Santos linked up with Tansingco and Jayvee Marcelino at Homegrown Grains Bocaue.
“I’m happy because we are going to have games which we lacked,” Ayo said.
“Iyong first game natin lagi tayo nag-i-struggle tapos second game nakaka-adjust.
Hopefully, after this, we learn more about adjusting in tournaments,” he added.
In the other games, Pacquiao Coffee Bacolod tripped Adam Esli Pasay 22-14 in Pool A behind Joseph Eriobu, with Jayjay Manlangit knocking down the game-winning deuce.
Brothers Ryan and Nikki Monteclaro steered the Pasig Kingpins to a 21-9 shellacking of Basilan to open Pool C action.
Marvin Hayes scored the game-winning two-pointer with 17.9 seconds left in AMACOR Mandaluyong’s 21-20 decision over the Henry Iloka-led RBR Cabiao Nueva Ecija.
