Manila Chooks players celebrate
Manila Chooks! stuns world No. 3 Antwerp in Qatar
MANILA Chooks! pulled off one of the greatest — if not the greatest– upsets in its history early Wednesday morning.
Boosted by the new quartet’s chemistry, Manila Chooks! carved out a stunning 14-12 overtime victory over world No. 3 Antwerp TOPdesk of Belgium in the level-9 FIBA 3×3 EXPO Al Bidda Park Challenger in Doha, Qatar.
While most basketball-loving Filipinos were in slumber in the wee hours, Philippine No. 7 3×3 player Paul Desiderio boomed in what initially appeared to be the game winner.
The former University of the Philippines star’s deuce was reduced to a single point after an officiating referee decided he stepped on the two-point line.
But that just proved to be anticlimactic for the fancied Belgians.
Desiderio found a cutting Tosh Sesay inside for the backbreaking bucket in front of a horde of Overseas Filipino Workers.
The OFWs in the stands cheered their hearts out after the team’s gutsy triumph—a testament to the love and passion for the sport that was brought to national consciousness by Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas.
Chooks-to-Go Vice President Mel Macasaquit lauded the efforts shown by Manila Chooks! and pointed to their teamwork as the key in the big win.
“Beating top-tier teams like world No. 12 Futian of China and taking down world No. 3 Antwerp of Belgium is a testament to the hard work that our players and coaches are putting in every day,” Macasaquit said.
“Chemistry is finally clicking and their pride to play for the country was evident in how they refused to give up.
“This gives so much honor not just to our brand but to our country,” he added.
Sesay notched seven points and 12 rebounds for the gritty Manila Chooks! squad, while Dennis Santos, the fourth-ranked 3×3 cager in the country, chipped in four points and five rebounds.
Marcus Hammonds and Desiderio also combined for five.
World No. 9 Dennis Donkor carried the fight for Antwerp TOPdesk with six points and two rebounds, while Mohamed Kherrazi contributed three points.
Jonas Foerts and Vic Van Oosterwyck got two and one, respectively.
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