Chase Tower Runs rules Crossover 3x3 cage wars

CEBU, Philippines — Three weeks since they defended their throne in Dayo23 Streetball Invitational, Cebu’s Chase Tower Runs (CTR) secured another 3x3 basketball crown.

Froiland Mangubat and Miguel Gastador delivered the key buckets as Team CTR fended off the DH25 squad, 21-19, in a thrilling finale to emerge as grand champions of the ANTA Crossover 3x3 Basketball League 2025 on Monday, June 9, at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City.

The CTR cagers pocketed P100,000 for their efforts.

CTR squandered a huge sevent-point advantage, 17-10, as the Jaybie Mantilla-led DH25 staged a daring fightback to forge an 18-all deadlock.

But Mangubat, who once reigned as the “3-point king” of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI), sank a 2-pointer from beyond the arc with 1:06 left to play before the “Cebuano Rocket” Gastador hit a long-range jump shot in the last 1.9 seconds that sealed CTR’s title-clinching victory.

Mangubat bagged the Most Valuable Player award while big man Jerome Napao was honored as the Defensive Player of the League.

‘Twas actually a double celebration for the team of shipping magnate and social media influencer Chase Cokaliong as the CTR Baka earlier defeated the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 20-14, to settle for third place. — (FREEMAN)