STRUGGLING early on, Butuan City-Uling Roasters guard Franky Johnson took to heart the words of PBA veteran and teammate Chico Lanete.
Johnson and Butuan City kept the faith and they were rewarded with handsome dividends last Sunday night.
Johnson, a Fil-Am, knocked down a booming two-pointer that lifted Butuan City to a nail-biting 21-20 decision over gritty Pasig-Sta. Lucia Realtors and bagged the crown in Leg 3 of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup powered by TM at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Leg 4 of the FIBA 3×3-endorsed tourney kicks off today at the same venue.
Lanete led Butuan City with eight points, while the 6-foot Johnson chipped in six.
Chris De Chavez and big man JR Alabanza also had four and three points, respectively, as Butuan City scored a breakthrough after its bridesmaid finish in Leg 1 and took home P100,000.
“Sinasabi ko sa kanila lagi, huwag niyo i-doubt iyong sarili niyo kasi may chance pa tayo,” Lanete said. “Alam naman naming puwedeng pwede pa kaming bumawi at ito na nga iyong resulta.”
Down 19-20 in the final 27 ticks, Johnson nailed what would turn out to be the game-winning basket off the Realtors’ Jeckster Apinan and sealed the title triumph in the country’s first 3×3 pro league energized by hydration partner Gatorade.
