Ryan Monteclaro powers Porac to Leg 7 win in Chooks MelMac Cup

Porac ruled Leg 7. Chooks-To-Go
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ryan Monteclaro delivered what could be the shot of the day as Big Boss Cement-Porac won the men's division of the seventh leg of the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 MelMac Cup by beating Pasig Chooks in the final, 21-18, at the Gold's Gym Sheridan Basketball Court in Mandaluyong.

Monteclaro scored on a dipsy-doo for the knockout with 3:32 to spare as Porac denied Pasig of another leg title in the said tournament, a Level 5 FIBA 3x3 event.

"Sadya pero swerte rin," Monteclaro said about his winning basket.

Monteclaro's layup capped a heroic stint for him as he first went on a 5-0 run to break a 9-all tie for a 14-9 Porac lead.

"Minamaliit kami kasi talagang maliit talaga kami, but we stayed locked in and grabe yung focus namin. Luckily for us, we're hitting our two-pointers," added Monteclaro.

His layup then stopped Pasig's gallant stand that saw the team drawing to within two, 18-20.

Monteclaro finished with eight points, while brother Nikki added seven for Porac, which took home PHP100,000 for ruling the leg.

Franky Johnson made 10 points, while Joshua Munzon added five for Pasig, which settled for the PHP30,000 runner-up prize after ruling Leg 6 the night before.

MSC Binan City - Azi&Tets Travel N Tours, which made the final of Leg 6, finished third and won PHP20,000.

On the other hand, the Maroon Thunders won the women's division title after beating Team X, 13-8, in the final.

Aileen Balmatero made five markers to lead the Thunders, who won PHP20,000.

Adding to that is a PHP10,000 prize for winning the Chooks-to-Go Harissa Roast Two-Point Shootout.

The final leg of the tournament is set for Tuesday also at Gold's Gym Sheridan.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno