By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Manila Chooks 3×3 squad failed to deliver an opening game victory in Pool D of the 2021 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters.
Facing the world no. 4 team from Serbia, Liman, the Aldin Ayo-led squad fell, 21-11, in just eight minutes and nine seconds of action.
Despite the hot shooting from star Mac Tallo, the Manila Chooks squad failed to defend the paint as the Serbian powerhouse got most of their points from their drives to the basket.
World no. 4 player Mihailo Vasic of Liman schooled the PH defense as his four easy points all came from power moves inside the paint.
The Manila squad also struggled to score in the game. Aside from Tallo, the rest of the team was only able to chip in three points: two from Mark Yee, and one from Chico Lanete.
Manila also faced a big blow heading into the Abu Dhabi showdown as newly-acquired big man Mike Nzeusseu couldn’t help the team due to a fractured left hand.
The PH quartet actually started the game on their tempo as Tallo took his offense into the teeth of the Liman defense but a fiery run from the Serbians stretched the lead to 9-3 and never looked back to grab the win.
