STA. ROSA CITY, Philippines – The Philippines will not go home empty-handed from the 2018 FIBA 3×3 U-23 World Cup. 

RJ Abarrientos served as the silver lining to the country’s early exit from the tournament after nabbing the gold medal in the Shoot-Out Contest in Xi’an, China on Sunday, October 7. 

The FEU Baby Tamaraw chalked up 9 points in the final round to eclipse Russia’s Aleksandr Antonikovskii and Germany’s Laura Zdravevska, who settled for silver and bronze, respectively. 

Abarrientos – a nephew of Philippine basketball great Johnny Abarrientos – and Antonikovskii both ended up with 9 points but the Filipino finished all racks faster. 

The Nationals, who are ranked 19th place, landed at third place in Group C with a 2-2 record behind world No. 3 China and No. 6 Slovenia. – Rappler.com