Foul-troubled Pasig-Chooks fell to Kranj of Slovenia,, 11-22, on Saturday evening (Manila time) at the Plaza de Leclerc in Poitiers, France.
The loss ended Pasig’s hopes of qualifying to the 2019 FIBA 3X3 Lausanne Masters this August.
Pasig was down by as much as six points with 5:38 left while already carrying seven fouls.
Nikola Pavlovic sparked a 4-1 run to cut Pasig’s deficit down to just three, 11-14, with 3:39 left.
But in the next possession, Taylor Statham was caught with an over-the-back foul – Pasig’s 10th with 3:26 remaining. A10th foul in 3×3 basketball means that the erring team will be penalized with two free throws and the opposite team also getting ball possession. From there, Pasig gave up six freebies, five of which were converted to send the 16th-ranked squad in the Masters.
Then, Mensud Julević’s layup sent the Slovenians to match point, while a long two by Igor Tratnik ended the match for the top-ranked Filipinos.
Pasig returns to Manila on Monday to prepare for the fourth leg of the 2019 Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Patriot’s Cup on Saturday at the SM Megamall Events Center.
