Host PH stuns Brazil in 3×3

BOCAUE, BULACAN – Cheered on by a sizeable home crowd, host Philippines pulled the rug from under heavily-favored Brazil, 15-7, to fire off its 2018 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Cup campaign Satursday at the Philippine Arena.

Showing the visitors a glimpse of rugged Philippine basketball, the Christian Standhardinger-anchored Gilas feasted on the Brazilians inside and got them in early penalty after consuming seven quick fouls.

As the Filipinos established their presence in the middle, Roger Pogoy made them pay with back-to-back two-point baskets, before Rosario converted an and-one to give the Philippines a commanding 8-1 lead.

Shocked, the sixth-seeded Brazilians never recovered from that Gilas’ opening rally and the Filipinos stretched their lead to a huge 11-2 separation, capped by Stanley Pringle’s lay-up off a dazzling crossover.

Marcellus Sarmento tried to push the Brazilians back in the game with a string of points to cut down the lead, 6-11, before Pringle put on the finishing touches with back-to-back ankle breakers for the 15-6 marginal score.

“All we wanted was to be competitive and stay with our opponents so we’ll have a chance at the end. But our players were able to jump the gun on Brazil,” head coach Ronnie Magsanoc said.

“I think it gave us a good buffer when everybody got tired. That’s a very good start for the team,” he added.

Pogoy, Pringle and Rosario racked up four points apiece while Standhardinger contributed three points.

With the win, Gilas momentarily seized the group lead in Pool C which also includes Russia, Canada and Mongolia.

As of press time, Gilas is looking to stay flawless against Mongolia later yesterday.

Meanwhile, the women’s national team Perlas Pilipinas looks to rebound today against Spain and Hungary to make it up for a winless outing on Friday.

Bannered by Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, Afril Bernardino and Gemma Miranda, Perlas suffered a tough 11-21 loss to Netherlands and a painful 10-12 loss to Germany.

15 — Pogoy 4, Pringle 4, Rosario 4, Standhardinger 3.

7 — Sarmento 4, Soriani 2, Evangelista 1, Silva 0.

Previous articleNadal eyes 11th French open titleNext articleWhere in the world is Calvin? John Bryan Ulanday