3×3 basketball events dominated by host squads
By Adrian Stewart Co

The Philippine men and women’s 3×3 basketball teams dominated their respective openers in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) over the weekend at the San Juan Arena.
Jason Perkins and Chris Newsome came up with clutch baskets while Jaymar Perez and Moala Tautuaa had early hits to push the Philippines over Indonesia, 21-17. In the second game, Tautuaa and Perkins controlled the inside while Perez and Newsome connected with perimeter hits in their 21-20 win over Myanmar.
In the women’s event, Claire Castro was a force on the inside, while Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, and Afril Bernardino contributed to the Philippines’ 21-4 rout of Myanmar. In the second game, Pontejos and Bernardino converted crucial points as the Philippines escaped Malaysia, 15-13.
In their third game, the women’s team started strong behind Bernardino and Pontejos before holding off a late rally from Indonesia. With a 16-13 win, the Philippines finished the day with a perfect 3-0 record.
Meanwhile, in women’s beach volleyball, Cherry Rondina and Negrense outside hitter Bernadeth Pons bounced back from their opening day defeat with a 21-8, 17-21, 15-7 victory over Vietnam./ASC, WDJ