Cebu takes Tatluhan title, earns Manila Masters slot

MEMBERS of Pura- Cebu pose, along with SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, 3rd left, SBP administrative and legal consultants Moying Martelino, 2nd left, and Atty. Edgar Francisco, left, and SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, right, after ruling the SBP-Talk 'N Text U18 Tatluhan National Finals at Robinson’s Place Manila in Ermita.

A group of Cebuanos claimed the recently-concluded SBP-Talk 'N Text U18 Tatluhan National Finals at the Robinson's Place Ermita.

Composed of Carlo Cesar Ortega, Jaur Edrel Ignam, Lucky Ecarma and Errol Pastor; Pura of Cebu defeated Olongapo (composed of Allen Fomera, Edler Tirona, Renz San Luis, and Mark Macatlang, who are all from Lyceum-Subic), 21-12 to rule the nationwide tournament.

To gain entry in the finals, Cebu defeated Bacolod, 13-12, while Olongapo defeated Ateneo de Naga, 16-15. Naga then defeated Bacolod, 17-14, to claim third in this tournanent.

In taking home the championship, Cebu gets a slot in the FIBA 3x3 Manila Masters on August 1-2, as one of the three Pinoy teams, with the other two being PBA selections.

In the previous edition of the Manila Masters, Manila West (composed of Terrence Romeo, Aldrech Ramos, Rey Guevarra, and KG Canaleta, with Eric Altamirano and John Flores as head coaches) secured the title over Qatar to gain entry into the finals in Sendai, Japan.

For the 2015 edition, which will be held at Robinson's Place Manila, the top two teams will make it to the finals in Abu Dhabi on October 15 and 16. Joining them will be the outstanding teams from the other stops in the FIBA 3x3 scene for this year: Prague, Beijing, Lausanne, Mexico City, and Rio de Janeiro.