Jordan Bartlett delivered in the clutch as HoopBus HCG captured the inaugural 2026 MelMac Sports 3×3 Invitational title, defeating Taho Story, 21-17, on Sunday night at MelMac Sports.
Bartlett sparked HoopBus HCG’s decisive 7-2 finishing run, scoring six of his eight points in the closing stretch. His biggest basket came with 21 seconds left, when the De La Salle University guard drove to the hoop and finished over Jimwell Ocampo to put the championship beyond reach.
The 5-foot-10 playmaker helped HoopBus HCG erase a 14-15 deficit, capping an unbeaten tournament run and securing the P100,000 champion’s prize.
Billy Baptist and AJ Benson added six points each, while Carlo De Chavez contributed one.
Taho Story settled for the P50,000 runner-up purse after an inspiring Cinderella campaign.
Ike Akpuru scored a game-high nine points, while Ocampo added six. Michael Macaballug finished with two points, and Nikki Monteclaro was held scoreless.
Despite placing fourth in Pool A with a 3-2 record, Taho Story produced the tournament’s biggest upset in the quarterfinals, stunning top-seeded Pool B squad Zark’s Burgers, 14-8. The heavily favored Zark’s lineup featured Mac Tallo, Alvin Pasaol, JR Alabanza and Gian Abrigo.
Taho Story followed that up with a 21-13 semifinal victory over HCG MNL Kingpin to earn a berth in the championship game.
Earlier, L.A.D Basketball claimed third place after defeating a fatigued HCG MNL Kingpin side, 21-14.
JP Sarao led L.A.D Basketball with eight points, while Jey Mark Mallari and Lester Quicho added six and five, respectively, to secure the P30,000 third-place prize.
Kit Aviso and Fubara White scored four points apiece for HCG MNL Kingpin.
Beyond crowning its first champion, the tournament highlighted MelMac Sports’ goal of helping revive the local 3×3 basketball scene by providing a platform for both established and emerging players.
MelMac Sports founder Mel Macasaquit thanked the Villar Group, represented by mall head Jeff Ventura, Smart Sports, and the tournament’s partners for supporting the inaugural event.
‘My passion-really, my obsession-for 3×3 basketball inspired me to build this multi-sports facility,’ Macasaquit said. ‘With the Villar Group and all of your support, we’re continuing to expand because we want to create more opportunities for athletes and help elevate the local 3×3 basketball scene.’
Macasaquit also announced that MelMac Sports is expanding beyond basketball.
Earlier in the day, its FIFA-standard football field at Villar City hosted its first activity through G8 Academy, marking another milestone for the sports complex.
‘We’re not stopping with basketball,’ he said. ‘Today, our FIFA-standard football field welcomed its first activity with G8 Academy, and we’re also expanding with Planet MelMac, our restaurant. We hope you’ll continue supporting us as we continue building a home for sports in the community.’
With the successful staging of its inaugural 3×3 Invitational and continued investment in world-class facilities, MelMac Sports aims to strengthen grassroots sports while establishing itself as an emerging hub for basketball and other sporting events.
Results
Championship
HoopBus HCG 21 – Bartlett 8, Baptist 6, Benson 6, De Chavez 1
Taho Story 17 – Akpuru 9, Ocampo 6, Macaballug 2, Monteclaro 0
Third Place
L.A.D Basketball 21 – Sarao 8, Mallari 6, Quicho 5, Villapando 2
HCG MNL Kingpin 14 – Aviso 4, White 4, Tadena 3, Price 3