MANILA, Philippines – Team Manila North fought valiantly but ultimately fell at the hands of defending champion NoviSad AlWahda, 21-13, in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 FIBA 3X3 World Tour on Saturday, October 17, in Abu Dhabi.
Facing the top-ranked team of the tournament, the 12th-ranked Philippine squad was able to tie the reigning titleholders at 9-all before eventually finding themselves in a huge hole and coming away on the losing side.
Manila North lost to Kranj (Slovenia) but beat Doha (Qatar) in Pool D action to make it to the quarters.
Composed of Calvin Abueva, Troy Rosario, Vic Manuel, and Karl Dehesa, Manila North fell 4-1 early against their UAE-based opponents before tying things up thanks to an 8-4 rally.
Consecutive shots from deep by NoviSad gave them a 4-point cushion, and they used the momentum yielded by that go ahead by 6, 19-13.
Manila North then went cold and couldn’t buy a bucket. The defending champions were able to finally seal the victory thanks to a pair of free throws.
It was the second straight season a Philippines-based team fell in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Last season. – Rappler.com