LEADER. Troy Rike caught fire late to lead Zamboanga City to a rout of Zamboanga Peninsula, 21-14, in the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba City on Wednesday (Oct. 21, 2020). Rike scored seven points for the City. (Photo courtesy of Chooks-to-Go)
MANILA – Zamboanga City got the better of Zamboanga Peninsula in their showdown in the first leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup on Wednesday.
Behind the hot hands of Troy Rike, Zamboanga City, the heavy favorite in the conference, turned back Zamboanga Peninsula, 21-14, in Pool A action at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba.
Rike dropped three consecutive deuces in a span of two minutes to help Zamboanga City pull away from Zamboanga Peninsula.
Rike delivered the match point for Zamboanga City at the 3:44 mark of the game.
"We are holding ourselves to a high standard. We don't want to drop any games and we don't want to take the easy route," said Rike, who was part of the national team pool for the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Rike led Zamboanga City with seven points, while Joshua Munzon added six.
Alvin Pasaol and Santi Santillan put up five and four markers, respectively, to cap Zamboanga City's scoring.
Despite the loss, Zamboanga Peninsula is primed to clinch a quarterfinal seat after edging Sarangani, 21-19, earlier in the day.
In other results, Palayan City swept Pool C after beating Porac and Bicol with similar 21-15 scorelines; Butuan and Pasig clinched the quarterfinal spots for Pool B after each beat Pagadian and Nueva Ecija; and Bacolod trumped Roxas City to book playoff seats in Pool D. (PNA)
