TNT outlasted Ginebra, 21-15, to sweep its way to the quarterfinals of the PBA 3×3 Third Conference’s first leg, Saturday at Robinsons Magnolia.
Almond Vosotros nailed the game-clincher with a pull-up from the top with 2:26 left as the new-look Tropang Giga conquered Pool A with a perfect 3-0 record — and became the first team to reach the playoffs to be held Sunday.
Parading 5-on-5 vets Ping Exciminiano and Gryann Mendoza, the flagship MVP Group franchise began its campaign with a 21-16 conquest of the comebacking Zamboanga before taking down Terrafirma, 21-12, then the Barangay.
The Gin Kings, third-placers in the Second Conference Grand Finals, are still bound for the quarters after finishing with a 2-1 record — the top two teams of each pool will make up the final eight for the next round.
Also headed into the playoffs is Purefoods, who, just like its corporate rivals, swept all three of its assignments to top Pool C.
After taking down CAVITEX (21-12) and Master Sardines (21-12) earlier, the Tender Juicy Titans escaped Limitless, 19-18, to formalize their entry. Joseph Eriobu nailed the go-ahead bucket from the line in the dying seconds.
The Appmasters, carrying just half of the team that ruled the First Conference and bagged the bronze for the Philippines in the SEA Games, are now in a do-or-die clash versus fellow 1-1 team Braves on Sunday due to the defeat.
Meanwhile, Meralco is leading Pool B following a masterful 21-8 showing against Sista, who finished the day with a 1-1 record.
The Super Sealers defeated reigning grand champions Pioneer earlier, 18-16, and are definitely wishing for the Pro Tibay to beat the Bolts on Sunday with the hope that a tie among the three teams in the pool would favor them.
Another three-member group in Pool D is being led by both Platinum Karaoke and San Miguel as the two carry similar 1-0 records.
Both squads got their wins at the expense of NorthPort, meaning that their match on Sunday is basically a battle for seeding for the quarters.
The Scores:
Game 1
Ginebra 21 – Villamor 8, De Vera 7, Cabahug 3, Gozum 3.
Terrafirma 20 – Alanes 14, Taladua 2, Bulawan 2, Cenal 2.
Game 2
TNT 21 – De Leon 9, Vosotros 7, Mendoza 4, Exciminiano 1.
Zamboanga 16 – Juntilla 10, Bederi 3, Ferrer 2, Bernardo 1.
Game 3
Sista 18 – Mocon 10, Jamon 5, Gabawan 3, Manlangit 0.
Pioneer 16 – Rono 9, Abrigo 4, Ugsang 2, Rivera 1.
Game 4
Purefoods TJ 21 – Eriobu 9, Mendoza 7, Javelona 5, Bonsubre 0.
CAVITEX 12 – Rivero 5, Soberano 5, Galanza 2, Rangel 0.
Game 5
Limitless 21 – Napoles 7, Caduyac 5, Salva 5, Tamsi 4.
Master Sardines 16 – Lopez 5, Capacio 5, Teng 4, Javillonar 2.
Game 6
Platinum Karaoke 21 – De Chavez 8, Alabanza 7, Bagatsing 4, Andrada 2.
NorthPort 13 – Parcero 6, Revilla 3, Zamora 2, Webb 2.
Game 7
TNT 21 – Vosotros 9, Exciminiano 6, Mendoza 5, De Leon 1.
Terrafirma 12 – Taladua 5, Cenal 4, Alanes 2, Bulawan 1.
Game 8
Ginebra 21 – Gozum 12, De Vera 5, Villamor 2, Cabahug 2.
Zamboanga 13 – Bernardo 6, Ferrer 4, Juntilla 3, Bederi 0.
Game 9
Meralco 21 – Maiquez 8, Sedurifa 7, Batino 4, Sabellina 2.
Sista 8 – Jamon 6, Mocon 1, Gabawan 1, Manlangit 0.
Game 10
Purefoods TJ 21 – Mendoza 9, Eriobu 6, Bonsubre 4, Javelona 2.
Master Sardines 19 – Javillonar 8, Capacio 7, Lopez 3, Teng 1.
Game 11
SMB 21 – Comboy 10, Bono 6, Gamalinda 5, Mangahas 0.
NorthPort 18 – Webb 8, Revilla 6, Zamora 2, Parcero 2.
Game 12
TNT 21 – Vosotros 7, De Leon 6, Mendoza 5, Exciminiano 3.
Ginebra 15 – De Vera 5, Villamor 5, Gozum 3, Cabahug 2.
Game 13
CAVITEX 21 – Soberano 7, Galanza 7, Rangel 5, Rivero 2.
Master Sardines 12 – Teng 5, Capacio 5, Lopez 1, Javillonar 1.
Game 14
Purefoods TJ 19 – Javelona 8, Eriobu 7, Bonsubre 2, Mendoza 2.
Limitless 18 – Napoles 8, Salva 6, Tamsi 4, Caduyac 0
