Butuan bounces back against Tangerang on Jonjon Gabriel winner

Jonjon Gabriel showed his brilliance down the stretch to win it for Butuan Chooks. Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas

By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. ROSA, Laguna—Butuan Chooks scored its first win in the Chooks-To-Go FIBA 3x3 Asia-Pacific Super Quest in style, stunning Tangerang 21-20, on a game-winner on Saturday at the Ayala Mall Solenad here.

Jonjon Gabriel was left wide open inside the paint as the Indonesian team's defense collapsed on Ron Dennison, leading to the latter assisting the former for the marginal basket with only 12.1 seconds left in regulation.

Dennison led Butuan with seven points, while Gabriel and Joshua Webb each added six and Alvin Baetiong chipped in two.

Tangerang earlier lost to Cebu City Chooks, 12-21, putting the Indons in a must-win situation against Sansar for a chance to get a semifinal spot.

Harry Nzeusseu scored eight points for Cebu City, while Brandon Ramirez added seven and Mac Tallo made six.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Hoop City jumped to a quick 2-0 start in Pool A play after edging Manila Chooks, 15-13, and Tokyo Dime, 15-9.

Melbourne can sweep Pool A if they beat Zaisan later Saturday.

The Scores:

Third Game (Pool A)

Melbourne 15 - Wright 8, Wilks 4, Golding 2, Steel 1.

Manila 13 - Iloka 5, Santos 5, Lanete 3, Yee 0.

Fourth Game (Pool B)

Cebu 21 - Nzesseu 8, Ramirez 7, Tallo 6, Huang 0.

Tangerang 12 - Johnson 5, Itun 4, Aziz 3, Sanjaya 0.

Time: 7:55 (Ramirez 2)

Fifth Game (Pool A)

Melbourne 15 - Wright 6, Steel 3, Golding 3, Wilks 3.

Tokyo 9 - Suzuki 4, Imori 3, Kakuta 1, Komatsu 1.

Sixth Game (Pool B)

Butuan 21 - Dennison 7, Webb 6, Gabriel 6, Baetiong 2.

Tangerang 20 - Aziz 7, Sanjaya 5, Itun 4, Johnson 4.

Time: 9:47.9 (Gabriel 1)

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