Ginebra wins third straight; TNT shocks Blackwater

Tropang TNT shocked reigning PBA-Tag Heuer 3-on-3 women’s basketball tournament winners Blackwater Elite after pulling off a 15-10 victory Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

TNT led by as much as 11-3 as Karen Salapong captured fire early, hitting three long-range shots. Salapong scored eight of her team’s first 11 points, before France Cabinbin and Raiza Palmera-Dy joined hands in a 6-1 run which pulled Blackwater within 12-9.

But Diwa Paz and Sarah Mercado each converted and-one plays to seal the win for TNT. TNT tied Blackwater for second place in Group B as both teams hold 2-1 records.

In Group A action, Barangay Ginebra stayed unbeaten after picking up an 11-7 win over Phoenix.

Photo courtesy of PBA Images

Ginebra overcame a slow start and leaned on Mix Bautista, who dominated the interior, to take an 8-3 lead. Bautista scored four straight points, before Jacquelyn Suarez scored back to back to trim the lead.

But MJ Galicia scored two of the next three points to push Ginebra’s lead back up to 11-7 as the team held on for the win.

Ginebra remained on top of Group A with a 3-0 record while Phoenix ended the elimination round with a 1-4 slate.