Repeated attacks from Joshua Munzon carried Pasig Grindhouse past old rival 1Bataan Risers, 19-7, en route to their first-ever Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Pilipinas President’s Cup crown last Sunday at the SM Fairview Activities Center.
The 6-foot-three Munzon, considered as the country’s top-ranked 3×3 player, topscored with 11 points in the finals match of the Kings.
Striking hard five times, Munzon’s baskets put the Kings ahead, 11-6, and the team went to claim the grand prize of P1-million.
“Since we first lost in this league, that really left a bad taste on our mouths. We’re driven every week to push ourselves to get better,” Munzon said.
Taylor Statham added five points while Troy Rike chipped in two for the Grindhouse Kings, who earlier made it to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters in Doha.
The Kings earned a seat to the Doha meet following their 19-18 triumph over the San Juan Knights-Go For Gold in the semifinals.
Alvin Pasaol led the Risers by scoring five of their seven points in the game.
The Risers settled for the P200,000 prize for the runners-up.
Both teams will see action in the coming Chooks-to-Go Asia Pacific 3×3 Super Quest on April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall.
Earlier, Kobe Paras outlasted dunk specialist David Carlos in another exciting edition of the Gameville Slam Dunk contest.
In the quarterfinals, the Kings blast Zamboanga, 21-9, to forge a semis clash with San Juan.
A block by Statham on Mac Cardona came as the buzzer sounded, allowing the Kings to beat San Juan, 19-18, in the semis.
Meanwhile, twelve of the regions top 3×3 basketball clubs will collide this weekend for the first-ever International Basketball Federation (FIBA)-sanctioned Super Quest, which will go on from April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall.
Teams from Mongolia (no. 2 in the world), China (no. 3), Japan (no. 4), Indonesia (no. 15), Australia (no. 25), New Zealand (no. 29), South Korea (no. 42), Chinese Taipei (no. 60), Vietnam (no. 65), and Hong Kong (no. 79) have a confirmed their participation for the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Asia Pacific Super Quest.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 is the country’s’ first 3×3 basketball league, and organizers were invited to host the event by FIBA last February 19.