By ASSOCIATED PRESS
It’s now Banh Mi Kitchen’s turn to raise the Philippine flag in China as it reigned supreme in the 2024 Yunnan 3X3 Circuit-Mohan Stop 4 on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Jordan Bartlett showed that his heart was greater than his height, anchoring the Philippine side to the championship to earn MVP honors.
With the Meralco draftee in full control, Banh Mi Kitchen outlasted Gwangju Dinoman of Korea in the finals, 21-12, to become the second Pinoy club to rule in the series.
Also in the squad were Chris de Chavez and reinforcements Kurt Hall and Gary Jacobs as the squad dropped all but one of its assignments in this stop.
Banh Mi Kitchen finished second in Pool D, losing only to Zvezdara of Serbia in its first game before going undefeated en route to the throne.
It first outlasted Brisbane Made of New Zealand, 21-17, in the last 16, before edging fellow Pinoy side Taho Story, 21-15, in the quarterfinals, and Strasbourg of France, 20-18, in the semis.
Taho Story, champions of Dehong Stop 3 last September, finished at fifth place after topping Zvezdara, 21-19.
The squad was composed of Mikey Macaballug, Franky Johnson, and imports Marcus Hammonds and Kiwi forward Denhym Brooke.
Both teams, backed by MNL Kingpin, are looking to sustain their groove with the Grand Finals of the Yunnan 3×3 Circuit set later this month.
