Balanga Chooks falls to Colorado City at start of Bucharest Challenger

Chris De Chavez waxed hot for Balanga Chooks, but his efforts went for naught. Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

LIPA—Balanga Chooks fell short of a gallant stand against Colorado City, 18-19, at the start of their campaign in the FIBA 3x3 Bucharest Challenger at the Parklake Shopping Mall in Romania on Saturday.

Balanga Chooks kept the game close and even had the lead, 15-14.

But the American side led by Canyon Barry, the son of NBA legend Rick, held fort and took a 19-17 lead late in the game.

Lamar Roberson kept Balanga in the game by scoring underneath to cut the lead to a solitary point with 15 seconds left.

Balanga then forced a 12-second violation on Colorado City to get the ball back.

But with only 2.1 seconds left and without a timeout, Karl Dehesa was forced to take a long two-pointer off the inbound that only hit the back iron as time expired.

Barry led Colorado City with seven points, while Jonathan Octeus and Sanjay Lumpkin each had five.

Chris De Chavez led Balanga with nine points on four deuces.

Roberson, who replaced Alvin Pasaol in the lineup, added four points.

Travis Franklin chipped in three, while Dehesa had two.

The Scores:

Colorado City 19 - Barry 7, Lumpkin 5, Octeus 5, Braun 2.

Balanga 18 - Dechavez 9, Roberson 4, Franklin 3, Dehesa 2.

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