Mac Tallo Celebrates Gutsy Win in Chooks-To-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters
Cebu City – In an exhilarating display of skill and determination, Mac Tallo led Manila Chooks! to a hard-fought victory that ended a 15-month losing streak. The Filipino team emerged triumphant with a 21-17 win against the higher-ranked Futian team in the Chooks-To-Go FIBA 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters.
Tallo, widely regarded as the best 3×3 player in the country, showcased his abilities by scoring the final two key points to seal the win. The energetic crowd at SM Seaside City Cebu was electrified by Tallo’s game-clinching shot from beyond the arc.
Throughout the match, Tallo demonstrated unwavering resolve with his layups, even executing one over the outstretched arms of defenders. The 6-foot playmaker’s performance proved instrumental in rejuvenating the team’s spirits.
The absence of injured players Paul Desiderio and Dennis Santos did not hinder Manila Chooks! as imports Marcus Hammonds and Tosh Sesay stepped up admirably. Hammonds contributed five points, while Sesay added four. Their efforts, combined with Tallo’s heroics, propelled the Filipinos to break their pattern of winless tournaments and secure a second-place finish in their group with a 1-1 record.
The reward for their gutsy win is a knockout match against the world’s top-ranked team, UB Huishan NE of Serbia. Despite the daunting challenge, Tallo remains undeterred and confident in their abilities.
“(Even if) we get injured, let’s give it our all because it’s been a year since we reached day 2 of a tournament, and this is it, finally, we made it. Hopefully, we can carry the momentum from our last game into tomorrow,” expressed Tallo.
Meanwhile, the Lubao MCFASolver’s campaign came to a heartbreaking end with a 21-17 defeat to Ulaanbaatar MMC Energy of Mongolia. The team had clawed their way into the main draw after dominating the qualifying rounds, but unfortunately, they faltered when it mattered most.
The Filipinos, however, faced a setback in their first game against Miami, which put their tournament hopes in jeopardy. Despite losing their initial match, the team’s resilience propelled them to bounce back and claim an impressive victory against Futian.
The performance of Mac Tallo and his teammates has captured the attention of basketball enthusiasts, and all eyes will be on them as they face the formidable UB Huishan NE of Serbia in the knockout stage. As the Filipino team continues to defy the odds, they have become a force to be reckoned with in the world of 3×3 basketball.
