Cavitex makes heads turn in 3x3

MANILA, Philippines — Cavitex stole the thunder from two heavyweight rivals to claim the first quarterfinal ticket from Pool B in Leg 4 of the PBA 3x3 Third Conference yesterday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Braves, who are still hunting for their first leg win, opened their bid with a 22-17 victory over one-leg winner Purefoods behind the 10-point effort of Reuben Saldua.

The 3x3 squad of the NLEX Road Warriors followed it up with a 21-13 beating of two-leg victor San Miguel Beer with Bong Galanza rifling in 13 to lead a 2-0 sweep of pool play.

Saldua, Galanza, Prince Rivero and Dominick Fajardo took the No. 1 spot in Pool B and will battle the No. 2 in Pool C in the Last-8 today while Purefoods and SMB will dispute the other quarters slot in their 9:25 a.m. elims duel.

Second Conference champion Pioneer Pro Tibay and Leg 3 third placer Platinum, meanwhile, went two-in-a-row to set the pace in the quarterfinal race in Pool A and C, respectively.

The Pro Tibay defeated Master Sardines in overtime, 20-18, then waylaid Barangay Ginebra, 22-13, for a 2-0 running start in Pool A. Trailing at 1-1 apiece are Legs 1 and 3 rulers TNT and the Gin Kings. The Tropang Giga lost to Ginebra, 21-15 but bounced back with a 22-12 shellacking of the Fishing Champs.