CEBU City—Cebu and Manila fought valiantly but couldn’t get the result they on Saturday in the Chooks-to-Go International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Tour Cebu Masters with playing coach and trainer Chico Lanete making an emotional announcement of his retirement at the SM Seaside.
Cebuano Mac Tallo and the Cebu Chooks! still wowed the big and appreciative crowd that gathered at the four-storey mall despite losing, 11-16, to world No. 3 Antwerp of Belgium—a semifinalist in last year’s Tokyo Olympics—in the elimination round.
“The fans were loud, but it wasn’t a hostile environment. It’s a great environment to play in,” said Belgium’s Bryan De Valck, adding that Cebu Chooks has a great potential to improve. “It’s not easy to play against the home team.”
Cebu also took a 14-21 defeat to Omaha USA in its second game in the elimination round of Pool A.
With back-to-back defeats, Cebu joined Manila to the exit.
Mike Harry Nzesseu carried the fight for Cebu with eight points and six rebounds, while Tallo and Brandon Ramirez had three points each.
Malik Hluchoweckyj led Omaha with nine points in their bounce-back win after suffering an 18-14 loss to Pool A top seed Antwerp. Trey Bardsley and Dylan Travis scored five each, while Mitch Hahn added two points.
Omaha advanced to Sunday’s quarterfinals.
The champion at the end of the max-level FIBA 3×3 tournament will bring home $40,000, with the runner-up settling for $30,000.
The 43-year-old Lanete, meanwhile, formally retired after Manila Chooks bowed to Doha QSC, 16-21, in the second game of qualification draw.
“I’m speechless. Thank you Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] for the opportunity. You did not leave my family,” said Lanete said, who ended his 15-year basketball career.
Mascariñas held a retirement ceremony for Lanete, who was surprised when his wife and kids showed up.
“Chico [Lanete] is really who I consider a hero for his service to his country,” Mascariñas, godfather of Philippine 3×3, said. “He made a lot of people happy during his years as a pro player. In the twilight of his career, he made sure he would serve his country. He fought for the country despite being 43.”
Mascariñas rewarded Lanete with a Chooks-to-Go store in appreciation of his efforts.