Members of Team Pura receive their prize at the Robinson’s Place Manila.(CONTRIBUTED)
CEBU CITY added another feather in their cap after Team Pura won the championship in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Talk ‘N Text Tatluhan National Finals last weekend at the Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita.
Team Pura, composed of Carlo Ortega, Jair Igna, Lucky Ecarma and Errol Pastor, emerged as the best team in the land, defeating the likes of runner-up Lyceum Subic from Olongapo City and third place winner, Ateneo de Naga.
Still, it was a tough road to the title for the Cebu team when they beat Bacolod and won but only by the skin of their teeth, 13-12, in a buzzer-beating game-winner by Pastor in the semifinals.
The victory netted Team Pura the whopping cash prize of P100,000. More importantly, the team now gets the chance to represent the country in the Asia Pacific qualifier for the 3×3 World Cup on Aug. 1 and 2 at the same venue.
However, the odds are stacked against Team Pura as they aim to follow in the footsteps of the PBA-backed 3-on-3 squad manned by pros Terrence Romeo, Rey Guevara, KG Canaleta and Cebuano Aldrech Ramos that won the 2014 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters held in Manila last year.