By Dugout Philippines
MANDALUYONG—Frontrow/AZI & TET and Soaring Eagle moved into the round of 16 of the 3x3 Elite League Manila 2019 after sweeping their pool play assignments on Saturday at the Dumlao Sports Center.
The Frontrow/AZI & TET team of ex-pros Jerwin Gaco and JR Cawaling, and Joel Brokenbrough, beat Team 7, 21-9; Laguna Pistons, 12-9; and Team Energy QC, 21-9; to sweep Pool I of the tournament with Philippine basketball legend Jerry Codiñera as commissioner.
The Soaring Eagle squad of Aldwyn De Juan, Edrian Canares, Caleb Kyle Bulado and Ivan Rey Mapal won over Zamboanga MLV 3, 17-15, and Titan Eight, 12-9, to also top Pool A of the competition organized by Mediapro Asia and SINA Sports.
With the sweep, Frontrow X and Soaring Eagle were the first teams to make it to the knockout stage to be played on Sunday at the Ayala Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City.
The champion team will win $3,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Beijing where they will represent the Philippines in the SINA 3x3 Elite League 2019 to be held in December.
Also making it to the knockout stage is BBE Black, which won all two of its three assignments in Pool G.
BBE Black won over LA Laine, 16-15, and Team 8, 12-8, to advance despite a loss to General Trias, 16-14, in the final game of the preliminaries.
Hassel also earned a spot in the round of 16 after beating New Born Caloocan, 17-7; AMT Titans, 15-10; and Marys B, 15-13, in Pool E.
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