Familiar foes Limitless and TNT will write yet another chapter to their rivalry as the two are set to square off in the PBA 3×3 Second Conference Leg 4 semifinals, Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
This will be yet another playoff meeting between the league contenders after slugging it out in the third leg final exactly a week ago, with the Appmasters coming out on top with a come-from-behind 21-20 victory.
So definitely, it would be nothing but vengeance on the part of the Tropang Giga when they lock horns anew with their tormentors later tonight.
The Leg 1 champions were actually the first to book a slot in the semis after ending the memorable run of Master Sardines, 21-16.
Will Gozum led the way with nine points, including the game-clinching deuce. Lervin Flores supplied six, as Almond Vosotros added five.
The Fishing Champs were bannered by main man Levi Hernandez with 12 points in the defeat. Still, this is the guest team’s best finish to date after starting the conference with nine consecutive losses.
Limitless then forged the duel after edging out Pioneer Pro Tibay, 22-20, big thanks to Marvin Hayes’ game-winning two-pointer from the corner.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser led the Appmasters with nine points. Reymar Caduyac and Jorey Napoles scored five apiece, while Hayes finished with three points in the hard-earned win that saw them trail for most of the game.
The reigning grand champions have now stretched their winning streak to 12 in what should be one of the hottest streaks in the PBA’s halfcourt wars.
Gian Abrigo and Christian Rivera finished with six points apiece for Pioneer. Carlo De Chavez and Robin Rono scored four each.
Meanwhile, the other semiinal bracket will see last leg’s third-placers Meralco take on second leg champions San Miguel Beer.
The Bolts were the second team to reach the penultimate phase by eliminating Platinum Karaoke, 19-16, behind Tonino Gonzaga’s 12 points.
Then the Beermen completed the semis picture by booting out rivals Ginebra by way of a 21-16 decision, with Ken Bono delivering the killer blow.
The Scores:
Quarterfinals first game
TNT 21 – Gozum 9, Flores 6, Vosotros 5, Acuno 1.
Master Sardines 16 – Hernandez 12, Tabi 3, Mahari 1, Mabayo 0.
Quarterfinals second game
Meralco 19 – Gonzaga 12, Sedurifa 3, Maiquez 2, Batino 2.
Platinum Karaoke 16 – Banal 10, De Chavez 4, Andrada 2, Monteclaro 0.
Quarterfinals third game
Limitless 22 – Rosser 9, Caduyac 5, Napoles 5, Hayes 3.
Pioneer 20 – Abrigo 6, Rivera 6, De Chavez 4, Rono 4.
Quarterfinals fourth game
San Miguel 21 – Manday 8, Bono 8, Vigil 3, Mangahas 2.
Ginebra 16 – Serrano 8, Villamor 6, David 1, Dyke 1.
