Lugano of Switzerland was crowned champion of the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger Sunday night, taking down heavy favorite UB of Serbia 21-19 in the pulsating final at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Paranaque, a major achievement that was worth $20,000.
UB got $15,000, while the next three finishers received $11,000, $8,000, and $6,000, respectively.
Mike Efevberha, later named Most Valuable Player, buried a heavily defended pump-fake 2-point shot from deep left with the score tied 19-all to send the Swiss team in delirium.
Lugano ran off five straight points to negate a 12-10 UB lead and set the tone for the dramatic finish.
Meanwhile, Taipei WanBao, powered by two European players who are taller and distinctly more adept in the 3×3 game, denied Mandaluyong-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas a slot in the semifinals 21-17 Sunday at the close of the FIBA 3×3 Manila Challenger at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Paranaque.
Two other hometown selections fell earlier.
Wildcard Cavite HCG tumbled against Taipei WanBao 21-6 and Singapore 16-15, while Manila Melmac lost to Chongming of China 21-11 and Lugano of Switzerland 21-13, unable to make the most out of the presence of PBA star Terrence Romeo.
The Taiwanese team failed to get any farther from quarters though, getting eliminated by Lugano of Switzerland in the semifinals 21-15. UB of Serbia clinched the other finals berth after downing Skyliners of Germany 21-16 behind the world’s two best 3×3 players, Strahinja Stojacic and Marko Brankovic.
Madaluyong trailed quickly 8-3 behind 2-pointers by Peter Ivanovic and Dorde Simeunovic, and then 19-11 before Malick Diouf hit his stride to pull SBP within 19-14, giving the Sunday crowd a rare moment to celebrate.
A free throw by Taipei moved it closer to the inevitable although SBP refused to go quietly, with Jeffrey Manday draining a 2 and Diouf slamming home a dunk for 20-17.
It was the nearest the home team could get though as Hsin-wei Wang swished in the game winner.
UB of Serbia, meantime, pulled off a memorable escape in the quarters against SG Marina Bay of Singapore 20-19, exhaling only after a costly turnover by the Singaporean club in the last 2 seconds.
The score was pegged at 20-19 when the Serbians ran down the 12-second shot clock, reckoning a ball freeze would have the victory and passage to the semis.
The Singaporeans contested the initial game-over decision by the referees, and an ensuing review determined a window remained open for Marina Bay — all of 2 seconds.
They never got off a shot, however, as traveling was called on the inbounding player, giving possession back to the Serbians.
In another match, the Skyliners of Germany joined UB to the semifinals after downing Chongming of China 21-14 on two free throws by 1:51 on the game clock.