Karl Dehesa hit the game-winner as the Wilkins Balanga Pure edged out the Equalivet-Pasig Kings, 21-20 (8:02) to rule the third leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Magiting Cup on Tuesday at the SM BF Paranaque Events Center.
“It was an experimental phase for us in the first leg but we’ve been for a long time now. We’ve been developing chemistry,” said Dehesa. “But this is just the beginning. We can’t be complacent and settle as the Chooks league champions. It’s a great honor but we want to win international competitions.”
For a while the Wilkins Pure seemed headed for another easy win when they took a 5-point lead, but the Kings rallied and took the lead, 20-19.
The Pure, however, refused to be intimidated as Dehesa – in his best game so far – knocked down a clutch deuce to seal Balanga’s second leg win in the event presented by Coca Cola.
Balanga saw contributions from all four of its players as Alvin Pasaol had seven points, Santi Santillan adding five and Chris De Chavez finishing with four.
Balanga, who missed the second leg of the level-seven FIBA-endorsed tournament due to them preparing for the Manila Challenger, remained on top of the table with 260 points.
Pasig, who also missed the third leg, was led by Joshua Munzon’s 10 points. Dylan Ababou added eight as the Kings jumped to second place with 220 points.
The Pure dominated the leg, winning by an average margin of 7.8 points in five games. This included a 22-15 win over Uling Roasters-Gulf Bulacan in the quarters and a 21-14 triumph over second leg champions Fyr Fyter Bacolod in the semis.
