Manila Chooks! pulled off a stunning 14-12 overtime victory over world No. 3 Antwerp TOPdesk of Belgium in the FIBA 3×3 EXPO Al Bidda Park Challenger in Doha, Qatar.
Paul Desiderio starred for the big win with a basket and a perfect assist for Chook’s biggest win abroad.
The former University of the Philippines star’s deuce was reduced to a single point after the referee decided he stepped on the two-point line.
But that just proved to be anticlimactic for the fancied Belgians.
Desiderio found a cutting Tosh Sesay inside for the backbreaking bucket in front of a horde of Overseas Filipino Workers.
The OFWs in the stands cheered their hearts out after the team’s gutsy triumph—a testament to the love and passion for the sport that was brought to national consciousness.
Sesay notched seven points and 12 rebounds for the gritty Manila Chooks! squad, while Dennis Santos, the fourth-ranked 3×3 cager in the country, chipped in four points and five rebounds.
Marcus Hammonds and Desiderio also combined for five.
