Toss-up looms in PBA 3x3 leg

MANILA, Philippines — Pool A squads Limitless App and Platinum Karaoke and Pool C’s Terrafirma got off to strong starts to boost their respective quarterfinal drives in the PBA 3x3 Leg 4 yesterday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

Limitless and Platinum hurdled their first two assignments to share pole position in their five-team group while the inspired Dyip posted a leading 2-0 card in their four-team bracket.

The Appmasters quartet of Brandon Rosser, Jorey Napoles, Reymar Caduyac and Marvin Hayes touched things off with a masterful 21-7 rout of the Zamboanga Valientes then turned back the Cavitex Braves, 21-19.

Platinum’s Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza, Chris de Chavez and Ryan Monteclaro went two-for-two as well, beating Cavitex, 21-13, and Leg 3 winner Sista in a highly-charged encounter, 21-17.

Cavitex and Sista trailed the two with 1-2 cards. The Braves’ lone victory came at the expense of the Super Sealers, 21-15 while Sista’s win was over the struggling Valientes, 22-9.

Similarly going hot were Dhon Reverente, Terrence Tumalip, Matt Salem and Jebb Bulawan, who continued the Dyip’s fine play from last weekend’s campaign.

The Dyip, podium finishers in the previous leg, demolished NorthPort, 19-9, then leaned on Tumalip’s endgame baskets to turn back Purefoods, 18-15.

Terrafirma’s bets, who are dedicating their campaign to skipper Roider Cabrera who underwent angioplasty last week, can sweep Pool C with another win today against Leg 1 ruler TNT.

Meanwhile, Leg 2 winner Meralco started its bid in Pool B with a 21-17 verdict over Leg 3 runner-up Pioneer Pro Tibay.

Tonino Gonzaga fired eight points while Dexter Maiquez and Alfred Batino added six apiece and Joseph Sedurifa contributed one in this leg-starting triumph.

Pioneer’s Christian Rivera, Carlo de Chavez, Gian Abrigo and Robin Rono dropped to 1-1 after their opening 21-12 nipping of San Miguel Beer.

The Beermen are at 1-1, getting their W against Barangay Ginebra, 18-16.

Notes: Meralco’s Trevis Jackson and Rain Or Shine’s rookie Franky Johnson swapped places in a one-for-one trade that was approved by the PBA yesterday.