TNT cemented its status as one of the best Filipino pro clubs, reigning supreme in the men’s division of Asia Tour 3×3 with a pulsating 19-18 victory over The Performance Lab Vietnam on Sunday.
Beninese big man Raoul Odou delivered the historic championship for the multi-time PBA 3×3 titlists with his game-winning putback slam at the buzzer, much to the delight of those in attendance at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
It was the biggest of Odou’s two points as the undermanned TNT side played without the injured Samboy de Leon with six minutes still left on the clock.
Tournament MVP Ping Exciminiano picked up the slack with his 10 points built on two deuces, while Gryann Mendoza had four as the Triple Giga bagged the USD 10,000 cash prize.
Hassan Thomas led The Performance Lab with seven points as their runner-up finish still allows them to take home USD 5,000 from this tourney which has SM as venue partner, Smart as broadcast partner, and Wilson as official gameball, with Heritage Hotel, Fiber Kinetics, Gatorade, Healthy & Pure Brand Water, Center for Culinary Arts, and Spurway Enterprises as sponsors.
TNT first had to hurdle fellow Filipino side Happy Hotels, 21-13, in the quarterfinals before fending off sister team Cavitex, 21-18, in the semifinals.
Cavitex did gain a bit of consolation, dominating VN Red & Gold, 21-4, with 4:45 to spare in the battle for third to claim USD 2,500.
David Carlos, meanwhile, dazzled the crowd to rule the Dunk Contest for the USD 500 prize, besting Steve Lin and Daniel Marcelo.
