Terrence Romeo battles against Auckland’s Anamata Paura in a quarterfinal game of the Fiba 3X3. (Inquirer.net Photo)
The Manila West squad of Terrence Romeo, KG Canaleta, Rey Guevarra and Cebuano Aldrech Ramos did not disappoint the rabid hometown crowd as they upset the heavy favorites, Doha of Qatar, 21-17, in the championship game of the 2014 Fiba 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters last Sunday evening at the Fashion Hall of the SM Megamall.
Ramos, who traces his roots to Cebu and is currently playing for the NLEX Road Warriors, scored seven points including the long two-pointer that sealed the game in their favor. Guevarra also had seven points.
Manila West were teetering on the ropes as they faced a 12-14 deficit behind the highly-physical play of Yaseen Musa and Mohammed Seleen Abdulla, the duo that powered Doha to the title in the FIBA 3×3 World Championships held last month in Russia. However, Manila West’s outside shooting suddenly clicked as the quartet hit one long bucket after another that frustrated the Qataris.
The losing side got so irked by the loss that they charged the officials right after the game before tournament marshals and team officials calmed them down.
The Filipinos on the other hand, won the $10,000 cash prize and more importantly, earned a ticket to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour Final which will be in Tokyo, Japan on October 11-12. Doha also qualified for the event by virtue of their top-two finish.