Pasig TNT will advance to the knockout playoffs of the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Hoops Penang Challenger after placing second in Pool A on Saturday at the Main Atrium of Queensbay Mall in Malaysia.
The Triple Giga bounced back from a heartbreaking 21-19 (8:14) loss to Beijing, walloping Poland’s Lublin 21-13 (8:19) to advance to have a chance to qualify for the 2023 FIBA 3×3 Macau Masters which takes place from July 8 to 9.
Pasig TNT will face Pool C top seed NY Harlem in the knockout quarterfinals on Sunday.
Almond Vosotros put up a valiant stand against Beijing, dropping 13 points built on five deuces.
However, with the game tied at 18-all, Nauris Miezis knocked down a cold-blooded two with 2:17 left.
Though Vosotros was able to cut the lead down to one, former World Tour MVP Karlis Lasmanis knocked down the game-sealing free throw after a foul by Ping Exciminiano.
Pasig TNT then vented its ire on Lublin, racing to a 14-8 lead and never looking back. Vosotros punched in the Philippine side’s ticket to the next round with his patented fader with 1:31 to spare — his 15th point of the contest.
Beijing also qualified for the next round after going 2-0 in Pool A.
The grand slam PBA 3×3 champions qualified for the tournament after winning the Asia Tour 3×3 last April.
Also part of the team are Gryann Mendoza and Raoul Odou.
The Scores:
First Game:
Pasig TNT 19 – Vosotros 13, Mendoza 3, Odou 2, Exciminiano 1.
Beijing 21 – Miezis 7, Lasmanis 6, Yan 5, Lu 3.
Second Game:
Pasig TNT 21 – Vosotros 15, Mendoza 4, Odou 2, Exciminiano 0.
Lublin Lotto 13 – Diduszko 7, Pawlowski 4, Majewski 2, Leszczyński 0.
