Cebu Chooks edged out Mongolian side Sanzar MMC Energy, 17-15, in a thrilling finale to rule the Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest Saturday, April 30 at the Ayala Malls Solenad Activity Center in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Mac Tallo and Mike Nzeusseu combined for 15 points as Cebu repeated over the tough Sanzar squad to rule the one-day event while claiming the top purse of $10,000 (P523,805).
Tallo, Nzeusseu, Brandon Ramirez and Zach Huang won all five games to secure one of the two spots in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters slated in late-May.
Sanzar, composed of Enkhbaatar Onolbaatar, Anand Ariunbold, Gansukh Avarzed and Sukhbat Batzorig settled for the runner-up finish and $5,000, but also advanced to the Manila Masters.
Both Onolbaatar and Ariunbold had chances to force overtime but their two-point attempts were off-target in the final seconds.
Cebu topped Pool B by winning all three matches, including a 14-12 triumph over Sanzar.
Nzeusseu and Huang combined for 13 as Cebu beat Manila’s Chico Lanete, Mark Yee, Henry Iloka and Dennis Santos, 17-14, in an all-Filipino semis.
Onolbataaer and Ariunbold scored six apiece as Sanzar defeated fellow Mongolian squad Zaisan, 18-15, in the other semis pairing.
Cebu led at the start behind Tallo’s scoring and Nzeusseu’s all-around play, but Sanzar refused to go away and kept the game close throughout.
Tallo’s layup with over a minute left gave Cebu a 17-15, which turned out to be the game’s final basket.