Terrafirma, Purefoods gain 3x3 inside track

MANILA, Philippines — Terrafirma and Purefoods won their first two assignments to get the inside track in the quarterfinal race in the PBA 3x3 Third Conference Leg 2 yesterday at the Robinsons Place Las Pinas.

Dyip crew Jeremiah Taladua, Jebb Bulawan, Shaq Alanes and Red Cachuela outlasted Sista in overtime, 19-17, then stunned Leg 1 winner TNT, 21-17, to show the way in Pool A.

Titans Joseph Eriobu, Jed Mendoza, Jun Bonsubre and Val Acuna, for their part, showed fine form in beating Cavitex, 21-18, and Master Sardines, 21-16, for pole position in Pool C.

Leg 1 runner-up Barangay Ginebra and Platinum Karaoke, meanwhile, opened their campaigns in Pool B and D, respectively, on a winning note.

Gin Kings Mikey Cabahug, Denice Villamor, Martin Gozum and Leo de Vera rallied past Limitless App, 21-20, while Platinum’s Chris de Chavez, Yutien Andrada, Hyram Bagatsing and Raphael Banal nipped Zamboanga, 21-13.

The Tropang Giga posted a 1-1 card, their victory coming at the expense of NorthPort in the leg’s curtain-raiser, 21-8. The Batang Pier later matched TNT’s mark with a bounceback 17-10 upset of Sista (0-2) in Pool A.

After losing the opener, the Appmasters kept their quarters chances alive in Pool B with a 21-12 drubbing of San Miguel Beer (0-1).

The chase for the Top 2 in each group heats up today with seven more pool games up before the knockout rounds.

The last three group matches in Day 1 featuring Meralco against Platinum, NorthPort against Terrafirma and Cavitex against Master Sardines were halted yesterday and reset to today due to problems with the flooring.