MANILA, Philippines – Team Manila North is on their way to the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIBA 3X3 World Tour after disposing of 4th-ranked Doha (Qatar), 16-14, in a physical and closely-fought closer to day one of the tournament in Abu Dhabi on Friday, October 16.
Leaning on the 7 points of 27-year-old Calvin Abueva, who also scored 9 in his team’s loss to Kranj (Slovenia) earlier on Friday , Manila North established a lead early and managed to hold on to it for the victory.
Vic Manuel (world rank 156 in FIBA 3X3) pitched in 5 points while incoming PBA rookie Troy Rosario (121) registered 3. Karl Dehesa (167) scored a single point.
The win gave Manila North a 1-1 record to end the pool section of the tournament. The victory also put the Philippine team in a 3-way tie with Doha and Kranj.
Since only two could advance to the quarterfinals, the team that scored the least combined points in the pool section was the one eliminated. Kranj, who lost to Doha 16-13 but beat Manila North 21-17, topped Pool D with 34 points while Manila North had 33.
Doha, the eliminated team, had 30 points.
Manila North raced off to a quick 5-1 start against Doha before their opponents went on a 12-5 run.
After a big basket by Abueva that riled up the pro-Philippine crowd, a shot from deep by Sammy Monroe cut Manila North’s lead to two, 14-12.
Abueva then hit another clutch shot before Dominic James and Tanguy Ngombo took turns putting points on the scoreboard, 15-14.
Both teams then missed shots until Rosario gave his squad a two-point cushion following a layup. Manila North went scoreless the rest of the way, but so did Doha, leading to their elimination.
In the quarters, the 12th-ranked Manila North will face top overall seed, NoviSad AlWahda of UAE on late Friday evening. If they win, they will face the victor of 3rd-ranked Trbovije (Slovenia) vs. 10th-ranked Denver (USA).
In the two other quarters matches, second-ranked Ljubljana (Slovenia) will face 11th-ranked NY Harlem (USA), followed by 5th ranked Kranj against 8th-ranked Rio (Brazil).
The dunk contest and shootout finals are also both expected to take place during day two of the tournament.
The winning team of the FIBA 3X3 World Tour finals will take home $30,000, while the runner-ups get $20,000. – Rappler.com
Source: Naveen Ganglani
