Pangasinan 3x3 bets reign supreme

MANILA, Philippines — Pangasinan ruled the 2019 PBA Ginebra San Miguel 3x3 Tapang ng Tatluhan, besting Manila, 21-13, in the National Championship last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ervin Jay Silverie came through for the Kings, dropping 10 points in the victory for the Pangasinense crew.

Jayson Apolonio added six markers, while Christian Corpuz also had three in the conquest.

But the biggest bucket came from Ian Rhalf Llona, who buried the two-pointer – his lone bucket of the game – which proved to be the icing on the cake with still 2:01 remaining on the clock.

Barangay Ginebra legend Robert Jaworski Sr. awarded the Pangasinense squad the championship trophy and the P250,000 cash prize. 

Gelo Vito powered Manila in the runner-up finish with six points, while Kenneth Mocon had three, Jarrell Lim and Rickson Gerero both had a pair in the bridesmaid finish.

Now on its fourth year, the grassroots tournament is Ginebra San Miguel’s way of reaching out to more basketball communities, giving young players the opportunity to further improve their craft, especially with 3x3 basketball now included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.