By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Philippine-based Platinum Karaoke 3×3 team won the bronze medal during the recently concluded 2022 ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) 3×3 International Champions Cup held in Bali, Indonesia.
The talented team took down the VN Red & Gold basketball club, 15-8, and bounced back after a shocking loss in the semifinals against the Indonesia Patriots A, 15-13.
Led by the quartet of Gilas Pilipinas young cadet Juan Gomez de Liaño, PH 3×3 staple player Chris De Chavez, and imports Carlos Martinez and Marcus Hammonds, the team was favored to go further into the grand finals but a Patriots buzzer-beater broke their hearts during the semifinals.
Eager to end their Indonesia trip with a podium finish, Platinum Karaoke was off to a blazing start against VN and pummeled them inside the paint.
The post prowess of Hammonds and the tenacity Martinez provided kicked-off Platinum’s great start and never gave VN any chances of mounting a comeback.
Juan GDL then provided the crucial closing baskets and drained timely step-back three-pointers while finding the open De Chavez every time he drew the defense inside the paint.
The Platinum team had a stellar elimination round and earned an outright berth into the ABL 3×3 playoffs after going undefeated, 3-0.
However, their road to the grand finals was blocked by the determined team from Indonesia who challenged them toe-to-toe from the get-go.
The Platinum team was mentored and coached by renowned leader Anton Altamirano and helped the team win against some home bet teams and Ahmedabad 3BL from India before taking down VN.
