Cebu Chooks! could not sustain its strong start against Princeton, faltering versus USA’s top team in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIBA 3×3 Penang Challenger, 22-17 (7:34), Sunday at Queensbay Mall in Malaysia.
It was a tough defeat, particularly for the country’s top 3×3 player Mac Tallo as his 14-point effort went for naught.
“Sayang kasi hindi namin natuloy ‘yung simula namin. Pero proud pa rin ako sa ipinakita namin kasi alam naman natin na ‘yung Princeton, number nine ‘yan sa bunog mundo. Pero sa totoo lang, kaya natin sila,” said Tallo, who averaged 9.7 points in this level nine tournament that served as a qualifier for the FIBA 3×3 Paris Masters which takes place from October 7-8.
Behind Tallo and Brandon Ramirez, Cebu raced to a 5-0 start and, later on, a 7-2 lead.
Princeton used its brute as they relied on the duo of Kareem Maddox and Damon Huffman to eventually gain a 10-7 lead midway through the do-or-die clash.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair from there as the two teams exchanged baskets.
With the game tied at 16-all, Canyon Barry and Maddox were able to find their way inside for a two-point cushion.
Ramirez tried to will Cebu back in the game but a Vince Tolentino foul —Cebu’s eighth of the game — with 2:57 left sent Maddox to the stripe for two free throws. USA’s second-best 3×3 player calmly sank the two freebies to send his side to match point.
A miss from Tallo from deep led to a wide-open Barry deuce to seal their downtown with NY Harlem later in the day.
Barry led Princeton with nine points built on three deuces while Maddox added seven points and four rebounds.
Ramirez chipped in three points for Cebu.
In Pool play, Cebu went 1-1, defeating archrival Zavkhan of Mongolia, 18-15, before bowing to mighty Serbian squad Liman, 21-9 (8:11).
“As a coach, I feel bad sa effort na pinakita nila since binigay nila yung lahat. This loss is on me,” said Cebu Chooks head trainer Chico Lanete. “Babawi kami para sa Quest natin at sa Cebu. Balik ensayo kami kaagad sa Martes.”
Up next for Cebu Chooks! is the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 International Standalone Quest on Friday at Ayala Malls Solenad. The one-day tournament will serve as a qualifier for the Cebu Masters on October 1-2 at SM Seaside.