MANILA — Reigning world champion and No. 1 seed NoviSad Al-Wahda from the UAE used its experience and toughness to the hilt to down the hard-fighting Manila North, 21-14, Sunday night in the final of the Manila Masters leg of the 2015 FIBA 3X3 World Tour. Both teams already qualified for the FIBA World Tour Final to be held in Abu Dhabi in October. Composed of Alaska Aces Calvin Abueva and Vic Manuel, Mahindra Enforcer (formerly Kia Carnival) Karl Dehesa and collegiate sensation Troy Rosario, the Manila North squad played their guts out but could not match the poise and strength of the visiting world champions. Earlier in the day, Manila North dethroned last year's Manila leg champion Manila West in the semifinal, 21-18, in a thrilling contest. Manila West was composed of GlobalPort Batang Pier Terrence Romeo, NLEX Road Warriors KG Canaleta and Aldrech Ramos, and Meralco Bolt Rey Guevarra. NoviSad and Manila North players nearly came to blows early in the highly physical game after NoviSad's Marko Savic hit Dehesa, sparking a confrontation between the two sides. Playing before a hometown crowd, the Abueva-led Manila North tried to toughen their defense, but this only resulted in numerous fouls, getting them into penalty early as the visitors raced to an 11-3 lead. Manuel rallied his team back, scoring four of its next five points to come to within seven, 15-8. The penalties took their toll on the Manila North since incurring 10 team fouls — means two free throws plus ball possession for the fouled team. In 3X3 FIBA rules, a field goal from inside the three-point arc is only worth one point while a shot from beyond the arc is worth two points. NoviSad sealed the win with a jumper from Dusan Domovic Bulut, considered the best 3×3 player in the world today. The FIBA 3X3 World Tour final is set in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Oct. 15-16 with the champion winning $200,000. Manila West's Guevarra ealier won the Smart Slam Dunk Contest title, edging Porter Maberry of the US, 80-79, in the side event of the 2015 FIBA 3×3 World Tour Manila Masters. The Meralco high-flyer showed an array of sensational slam dunks over a collection of Philippine All-Star members. Standing at just 5'5”, Maberry also had a series of highlight dunks capped by one over two guys, one of whom was seated on top of the other. That last dunk earned him a perfect 30. However, that was not enough to get past Guevarra who amassed bigger points in the earlier rounds.
