TNT spoiled the party of hat trick-seeking Cavitex in the PBA 3×3 Season 3 First Conference, wresting the Leg 6 title via a 21-17 clincher yesterday at the Ayala Malls Trinoma.
Samboy de Leon drained a clutch two-ball while Almond Vosotros drove the dagger layup and two free throws as the Triple Giga reasserted themselves in the final leg of the season-opener.
Gryann Mendoza fired seven points to go with eight rebounds and two assists while Messrs. Vosotros and De Leon scored six apiece and Ping Exciminiano chipped in two in the championship thriller.
With this victory worth P100,000, TNT prevented Leg 4 and 5 winner Cavitex from becoming the first team to win three consecutive legs in the three-year-old league.
Coach Mau Belen’s troops triumphed for second time in the conference after ruling Leg 3, matching the feats of the Braves and Legs 1 and 2 victor Barangay Ginebra as the combatants head into the grand finale.
Bong Galanza shot seven, Dominick Fajardo had five, Jorey Napoles netted four and Tonino Gonzaga scored one as the Braves settled for runner-up honors and P50,000 this time.
On their way to the finale, the Triple Giga beat quarterfinal opponent Ginebra and semifinal rival Wilcon Depot via similar 21-13 scorelines while the Braves defeated Purefoods, 20-17, and Meralco, 19-18.
Wilcon’s Keith Datu, Louie Vigil, Yutien Andrada and TH Tumalip outdueled the Bolts’ Patrick Maagdenberg, Joseph Sedurifa, Reymar Caduyac and Bryan Santos in the third-place battle, 16-13, to post the guest team’s first podium finish. — Olmin Leyba