NoviSad rules 3x3 Manila leg

MANILA, Philippines - NoviSad AlWahda of the UAE hit baskets from everywhere last night to turn back Manila North, 21-14, and rule the Manila leg of the 2015 FIBA 3x3 World Tour at Robinsons Place in Ermita.

It was a rugged contest that nearly went out of control with barely three minutes gone. Tempers flared and emotions ran high, indicating the intensity of the game.

But in the end, the players from the UAE, winners of last year’s World Tour, proved to be the better team, and will go home with the championship trophy.

NoviSad took the early lead with baskets from near and far while Manila North, bannered by Calvin Abueva, kept missing what looked like easy shots.

The crowd that covered every inch of space just to get a glimpse of the action chanted Abueva’s name as they rallied behind the local team.

It barely helped as NoviSad jumped to an 11-3 lead from which the locals failed to recover.

Despite the loss, Manila North will move on to the World Tour Final in Abu Dhabi in October, along with NoviSad, a team made up of burly players.

“Okay lang. Nag-advance pa din sa finals (It’s okay. We made it to the finals),” said Abueva inside the players lounge after the final.

“Their shots kept falling – long shots. And we were called too many fouls. We gave it all. They are the world champions in the first place,” he added in Filipino.

Abueva said he was happy they managed 14 points against NoviSad, which limited their first three opponents to 24 points.

“Happy ako naka-fourteen points kami sa kanila,” he said.

Terrence Romeo of Manila West was named MVP and Three-Point King while 6-foot-3 Rey Guevarra won the Slam Dunk title over 5-foot-5 leaper Porter Maberry.

Manila North was first to reach the semis following a 21-19 win over Kobe of Japan, a team bannered by players with names such as Dee Washington and Nyika Williams.

It was a rough and physical match, and close until the end.

Abueva, a big hit among the fans that flocked to the mall for the second straight day, hit a short basket at the buzzer to bring the house down.

Manila West followed suit, beating Longshi of China by a similar margin, 21-19, to set up a semis meeting with Manila North.

It was a battle between two undefeated teams, and the crowd was almost torn as to whom to cheer for. The semis matchup between the two Manila teams meant one of them was headed to Abu Dhabi.