CALAMBA. – Gab Banal was on fire to open the third leg of the 2020 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup powered by TM, leading Nueva Ecija to a dominant 21-11 win over Pagadian Rocky Sportso on Sunday at the Inspire Academy here.
Banal, the ninth-ranked 3×3 basketball player in the country, torched Pagadian to the tune of a conference-high 15 points, built on six deuces.
“Wala naman masyadong pressure. Slow start kami so I had to step up. ‘Yun lang motivation ko,” Banal said as the Rice Vanguards trailed 7-4 early in the Pool B contest.
Top-ranked teams Family’s Brand Sardines-Zamboanga City Chooks and Uling Roasters-Butuan also opened their respective campaigns in the tourney sanctioned by Games and Amusements Board and endorsed by FIBA 3×3 on winning notes.
Joshua Munzon and Alvin Pasaol took turns in walloping Bicol-Paxful 3×3 pro, 22-11 in Pool C. Munzon had nine points while Pasaol added eight markers.
Veteran Chico Lanete continued to shine for Uling Roasters-Butuan City, leading the squad to a 22-13 victory over Palayan City in Pool D.
Lanete, who converted the first four-point play of the tournament, had six markers while JR Alabanza, Chris De Chavez, and Franky Johnson all had a hand as well in the win.
Sarangani took down Big Boss Cement-Porac MSC to open Pool A 21-15, with Pamboy Raymundo scoring seven points.
