Robin Rono starred this time around as Pioneer beat Ginebra in overtime, 16-14, to book the first ticket to the title game of the PBA 3×3 Second Conference Grand Finals, Wednesday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The guard out of National University finished with five points, including the deuce in extra time as the Pro Tibay continued what has been a magical run for them in wars.
He launched practically from the same spot Gian Abrigo fired to oust Limitless in the quarters earlier to ensure that a new grand champion will be crowned.
Abrigo top-scored for Pioneer with six points, while Christian Rivera and Carlo Escalambre combined for five markers in the victory.
The Barangay, on the other hand, received four points each from Jayson David, Encho Serrano, and Jollo Go as they got sent packing.
Painful, indeed, was the loss for the Gin Kings, for it wasted their huge win over the fourth-seeded San Miguel Beer in the quarters.
Set to face Pioneer in the finale is Sista, who nipped TNT in a low-scoring affair, 13-12, thanks to the heroics of Jan Jamon.
The long-haired forward sank a tough lay-up at the buzzer in another proof that he’s the Super Sealers’ best closer. He finished with five points.
Kenneth Mocon had five as well, while Jamil Gabawan added three in the win that kept the Rain or Shine-owned team perfect in the Grand Finals,
The upcoming championship bout with Php 750,000 at stake will feature teams that never won a leg title in the Second Conference, and had to go through the pool stage — both Pioneer and Sista, coincidentally, belonged in Pool A.
Set to slug it out in the battle for third, meanwhile, are the Gin Kings and the Tropang Giga. Winner will also bag home Php 100,000.
The Scores:
SF1
Pioneer 16 – Abrigo 6, Rono 5, Rivera 4, Escalambre 1.
Ginebra 14 – David 4, Serrano 4, Go 4, Villamor 2.
SF2
Sista 13 – Jamon 5, Mocon 5, Gabawan 3, Manlangit 0.
TNT 12 – Javier 4, Vosotros 3, Acuno 3, De Leon 2.
