Ginebra is off to a fiery start in the PBA 3×3 Second Conference.
The new-look Gin Kings nipped Master Sardines, 21-19, for its second win in as many games, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Encho Serrano nailed the game-winning deuce with 1:37 left to play as the Barangay bucked a slow start that saw them trail by three.
Serrano finished with eight points to help his side remain atop Pool A with a 2-0 record. They beat Platinum Karaoke earlier, 15-14.
Platinum, though, had already atoned for that loss by way of a 17-12 win over Terrafirma. JR Alabanza and Ryan Monteclaro scored five each.
Ginebra wasted the solid performance of Levi Hernandez, who had 11 points to lead the Fishing Champs in a losing effort. They drop to 0-2.
Serrano, Hernandez, and Ginebra’s Jayson David were teammates a year ago with NBL’s Pampanga team.
Meanwhile, also carrying a clean 2-0 record is TNT in Pool B following its come-from-behind victory over Meralco, 18-12, in an all-MVP derby.
Samboy De Leon produced eight points to pace the Tropang Giga, who fell behind 1-5 early before finding their rhythm on offense.
Tonino Gonzaga led the Bolts with five points.
Purefoods, on the other hand, has entered the win column after making quick work of CAVITEX, 21-11, in a match that lasted for less than six minutes.
Pao Javelona drilled the game-winner from deep still with 4:20 to play as the Tender Juicy Titans spoiled the Braves debut of Prince Rivero.
Joseph Eriobu powered the winning side with 13 points after missing their first game against NorthPort, wherein they fell 16-20.
Rivero, formerly of Sista, led CAVITEX with five markers.
Eight more games will still be played before Day 1 of the first leg wraps up.
The Scores:
Fifth game:
Platinum 17 – Alabanza 5, Monteclaro 5, Salem 4, Andrada 3.
Terrafirma 12 – Tumalip 7, Reverente 5, Taladua 0, Bulawan 0.
Sixth game:
Ginebra 21 – Serrano 8, Go 5, Villamor 4, David 4.
Master Sardines 19 – Hernandez 11, Mabayo 5, Tabi 2, Sorela 1.
Seventh game:
TNT 18 – De Leon 8, Vosotros 6, Flores 3, Acuno 1.
Meralco 12 – Gonzaga 5, Batino 3, Sedurifa 3, Maiquez 1.
Eighth game:
Purefoods 21 – Eriobu 13, Javelona 4, Acuna 2, Bonsubre 2.
CAVITEX 11 – Rivero 5, Fajardo 3, Lao 2, Reyes 1.
