Tropang Giga PBA 3x3 Leg 1 victors anew

MANILA, Philippines — Sustaining its winning tradition in Leg 1s, TNT reigned supreme in the kickoff competition of the PBA 3x3 Third Conference yesterday at Robinsons Magnolia.

Regulars Almond Vosotros and Samboy de Leon and 3x3 debutants Gryann Mendoza and Ping Exciminiano went undefeated in the two-day meet and capped their dominance with an 18-15 clincher over Barangay Ginebra.

“Malaking tulong ang dalawa naming bago para makuha namin ang first leg championship,” said Vosotros after the Tropang Giga duplicated their conference-opening wins of the two previous tournaments and netted P100,000 with a new-look roster.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy na (going to the next legs),” he added.

The Tropang Giga seized a 14-11 cushion before Ginebra caught up on Leo de Vera’s basket and Martin Gozum’s free throws. Mendoza put TNT back in the lead with his three-point cluster then Vosotros cancelled out De Vera’s layup with his own close-range dagger to seal it.

On the way to the finals, the Mau Belen-coached TNT swept its three-game Pool A assignments then defeated San Miguel Beer in the quarterfinals, 21-18, and Purefoods TJ Titans in the semis, 21-13.

Transferees De Vera and Gozum and Ginebra holdovers Denice Villamor and Mikey Cabahug banked P50,000 for their runner-up finish. Ginebra reached the battle for top honors after edging quarters opponent Platinum Karaoke, 21-20, and semis rival Meralco, 13-10.

Titans Joseph Eriobu, Pao Javelona, Jed Mendoza and Jun Bonsubre joined TNT and Ginebra in the podium after beating Meralco in the duel for third, 19-17, for a P30,000 take home.

Eriobu knocked down two clutch charities and a big-time two-ball to lift Purefoods to victory after trailing, 17-15, in the last 39 seconds.