Leonard Santillan is left to ponder what could have been after his costly error.| Photo courtesy of Chooks to Go
CEBU CITY, Philippines — A crucial mental lapse by Cebuano forward Leonard Santillan proved costly as the 1Bataan Risers got edged by Tokyo Dime, 20-22, in the finals of the 2019 Chooks-to-Go 3X3 Asia Pacific Super Quest.
The Risers were victims to a late-game meltdown by Santillan, a former University of the Visayas Green Lancer, wasting their valiant stand against World No. 19 Tokyo Dime, 22-20, in the finale on Sunday afternoon at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall in Pasig City.
Just how painful was this loss? The champions of this level eight FIBA 3X3-endorsed tourney went home with US$ 20,000, a ticket to the 2019 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Masters Doha, and a seat to the Challengers in Penang on May 12 to 13. The runners-up ended up with US$ 15,000 and a seat to Doha as well.
With 1:21 left, Alvin Pasaol was able to score inside to move 1Bataan to just a point away of clinching the match.
A quick basket by Serbian Peter Perunovic cut the lead to just a solitary point. However, Santillan got stuck underneath, calling a timeout.
1Bataan had no timeouts to burn, resulting to a technical foul.
Keita Suzuki knocked down a free throw to knot things up. Santillan tried to make it up with a corner deuce but his shot badly missed.
On the other end, Suzuki knocked down a corner deuce to seal the championship for the Japan-based club team.
Japan’s top player Tomoyo Ochiai and Petrunovic scored six points, apiece.
Pasaol led 1Bataan with seven markers.
The Scores:
Tokyo Dime 22 — Ochiai 6, Perunovic 6, Komatsu 5, Suzuki 5,
1Bataan 20 — Pasaol 7, Franklin 5, Santillan 5, Dehesa 3.