TNT returned to its throne on Tuesday, beating upset-conscious Pioneer Elastoseal in the 2023 PBA 3×3 first conference Leg 3 final, 17-13, at Ayala Mall, Manila Bay.
Left out in the playoffs of Leg 2 a week ago, the Triple Giga came back with a vengeance as the quartet of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Samboy De Leon, and Gryann Mendoza swept their way to the top and claimed the P100,000 champion’s purse.
Vosotros struggled against the Katibays, shooting 4-of-10 from the floor for six points, but Flores, De Leon, and Mendoza took care of the rest to give the telecommunication franchise its first leg crown this season after completing a grand slam last year.
Wilson Baltazar also had six points to lead Pioneer, which made the finals for the first time since the opening leg of Season 2 Third Conference.
TNT earlier denied the bid of Barangay Ginebra to win a historic third straight leg championship by ousting the Kings in the quarterfinals, 21-19.
(C) PBA Images
Vosotros then erupted for 12 points as the Triple Giga got the San Miguel Beermen out of their way, 20-19, to reach the finals.
Pioneer won P50,000 for the runner-up finish.
The Katibays edged out the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals, 21-19, and stunned Cavitex in the semis, 19-17, to set up the title showdown against the Triple Giga.
Meanwhile, the Braves secured the battle for third place for the third straight time with a 20-19 victory over San Miguel.
It was a win worth another P30,000 for Cavitex.
The Scores:
Third place
Cavitex (20) – Napoles 10, Ighalo 7, Gonzaga 3, Fajardo 0.
San Miguel (19) – Bono 9, Saldua 6, Apacible 3, Lee 1.
Finals
TNT (17) – Vosotros 6, Flores 4, De Leon 4, Mendoza 3.
Pioneer (13) – Baltazar 6, Morido 4, Abrigo 3, Mocon 0.
