
Debuting Cebu Chooks settled for a sixth place finish after going 1-2 in the FIBA 3x3 Dubai Expo Super Quest held recently in the United Arab Emirates.
Mac Tallo, Zach Huang, Brandon Ramirez and Mike Nzeusseu put up a gallant effort before losing 21-17 to Latvian squad Riga in its opening assignment.
Cebu would bounce back in the next game with a 21-15 comeback win over American side Chicago behind the exploits of Tallo, the country’s top 3x3 player.
Tallo scored 10 points as Cebu overcame a 10-5 deficit to win the match held at the Expo Sports Arena.
But Cebu couldn’t sustain its form and bowed out of Pool B with a 19-12 defeat to Belgium’s Antwerp, the second-ranked team in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
Head trainer Aldin Ayo said the team remains a work in progress despite the solid run in its maiden campaign.
“We still have a lot to work on,” Ayo said. “We had a lot of lapses in our interior defense, especially during our game against Belgium. Hopefully, we can fix this by the time we host the Manila Super Quest next month.”
Manila will host its first FIBA 3x3 event since the pandemic on May 28 to 29.
Antwerp went on to rule the Dubai Expo tournament with Polish side Warsaw placing second while Riga and Serbian team Liman went third and fourth.