BULACAN, Philippines – Janine Pontejos topped the FIBA 3×3 World Cup 2018 shoot-out contest for the country’s first gold in the senior’s division on Tuesday, June 12, at the Philippine Arena. 

The Centro Escolar University alumna scored 14 points in 41.86 seconds that was punctuated by two baskets from the bonus rack. 

“Inisip ko po, kahit natalo kami, hindi po ako nawalan ng pag asa na itayo yung Pilipinas kasi may natitira pa pong shoot-out,” said Pontejos about her motivation to win.

(I thought that even though Perlas Pilipinas did not win in the World cup, I still had hope because there’s still a shoot-out contest.) 

“Mas lumakas yung loob ko dahil sa mga teammates ko na nag ppush sakin, pati sa mga coaches ko.”

(My confidence was boosted because of my teammates and coaches who pushed me.)

Silver medalist Russia’s Alexandra Stolyar also tallied 14 points, but Pontejos bested her by 8 seconds. 

Croatia’s Marin Hrvoje bagged the bronze medal off 11 points while Maksim Dybovskii settled for 4th place. 

“Pare-pareho lang po kaming players so kailangan mag compete ka rin talaga. Atsaka yung bansa natin yung nirerepresent natin so kailangan hindi ka matakot sa kanila (kalaban ko),” said Pontejos about competing in the mixed event. 

(We’re all players so you have to compete also, and I’m representing the Philippines so I can’t be scared of my competitors.)

Pontejos nabbed one of the 4 slots of the finals as she scored 6 points in 22 seconds last Sunday, June 10.

Before Pontejos, Kobe Paras clinched two gold medals for the Philippines in the U-18 FIBA 3×3 World Cup slam dunk contests in 2013 and 2015.  – Rappler.com