By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Basketball team Zamboanga Valientes took the Australian 3×3 Champions League Basketball (CBL) by storm and hauled their fourth straight championship title after edging powerhouse team Sydney Supersonics, 17-14, during their showdown.
It was a tough game for Valientes as the Supersonics were able to stay within striking distance for the whole match.
The Supersonics are one of the best 3×3 teams in Australia but were unable to handle Eric Miraflores and company who just clinched their fourth straight CBL title since arriving in Australia.
Despite the absence of Filipino Ping Concepcion and coach Junnie Navarro who went home to PH for the upcoming National Basketball League Pilipinas, Miraflores’ leadership and veteran smarts helped them overcome the heaviest obstacles against the Supersonics.
The Zamboanga-based 3×3 squad swept their way to the championship match after trouncing Fades of the Babes, 15-8, Tech Wool Turkeys, 15-6, and the Melbourne Magic, 15-12.
Earlier, the Valientes squad conquered three Australian 3×3 tournaments, the 3×3 Christmas Street Hustle in Canberra, the CLB 3×3 in Bendigo, and the CLB 3×3 Portland Open.