Manila Chooks stays in contention

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines – Manila Chooks carried the country’s fight by advancing to the semifinals as Cebu Chooks and Butuan Chooks crashed out in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 International Quest yesterday at the Ayala Malls Solenad here.

Manila Chooks topped Pool A with a 2-1 card after big wins versus counterparts from Mongolia and Malaysia to keep the Philippines’ title hopes in the Level 8 FIBA 3x3 joust serving as a qualifier to the bigger Chooks-to-Go FIBA 3x3 World Tour Cebu Masters next month.

Buoyed by a sizeable crowd, playing head trainer Chico Lanete hit the game-winning free throw in Manila Chooks’ pulsating 21-20 win over powerhouse Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy of Mongolia in the group stage.

Manila Chooks previously bested Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur Aseel, 21-15, before falling short against another Mongolian bet in Zavkhan MMC Energy, 17-19.