Despite valiant efforts to upset their high-ranked opponents, the Manila Chooks finished 0-2 in Pool D games to finish 10th out of 12 participating teams.

The local club lost 21-11 to world No. 8 Antwerp of Belgium before holding its own in a close 21-16 loss to No. 10 Edmonton of Canada in the preliminaries.

Mark Tallo scored five points to lead the Manila Chooks offense in their first game against Belgium’s 3×3 team, which finished fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Mark Yee and Zachary Huang both added three points, while Dennis Santos was held scoreless during the match.

In the second game, Manila Chooks and Edmonton tied 16-16 before the Canadians pulled away and won with Alex Johnson’s game-winning shot.

Tallo scored a game-high 11 points, while Santos and Yee each had two and Huang scored one.

“We have no excuses,” said Manila Chooks head trainer Aldin Ayo.

“We as coaches are accountable, lalo na ako, sa result ng campaign natin. Hindi ko napalabas yung mga pinrepare natin,” he added.