Pasig claims first-ever Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup grand title
By Kevin Sox
Joshua Munzon fired 11 points in a brilliant showing as Pasig Grindhouse Kings dominated rival 1Bataan Risers, 19-7 to emerge triumphant in the grand finals of the first-ever Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President’s Cup last Sunday at SM Fairview.
Named the no. 1 ranked Filipino 3×3 player shortly before the games of the culminating leg tipped off, Munzon fittingly showed why he deserved to be the top baller in the country as he displayed his full repertoire to lead his squad to successive wins.
With their victory, the Pasig Grindhouse Kings, composed of Munzon, Taylor Statham, Troy Rike, Leo De Vera, and Dylan Ababou, took home the grand prize of one million pesos and earned a ticket to the prestigious FIBA 3×3 World Tour to represent the Philippines.
It was the Kings’ third title in the President’s Cup, which had five legs in a span of two months. The squad made the finals of all five competitions.
“It’s been a long journey. It’s been a long battle these past couple of months. Right now it just seems it just all came together. It was so worth it,” Munzon said after clinching the decisive win.
“It was just through hard work and dedication. We knew we came out here in January and we had a goal and that is to put everything on the line every chance we got and just go at it,” he added.
Both Pasig and 1Bataan, who have been in the finals in four of the five legs and won in the two other crowns, will be competing in the upcoming invitational tournament named Chooks-to-Go 3×3 Super Quest.
Slated from April 6 to 7 in Manila, the Super Quest will feature some of the top 3×3 teams across the world, including the famed Serbian powerhouse crew Novi Sad.
A veteran of the ASEAN Basketball League and now suiting up for the AMA Titans in the PBA D-League, Munzon said he is quite overwhelmed with the success he is enjoying since staying in Manila for good to continue his basketball career.
“I am just grateful to be here honestly,” Munzon said, adding he is ready to accomplish more for his basketball resumé.
