TNT flexed its comeback wits yet again to frustrate an upset-hungry Terrafirma, 21-20, to sweep all of its assignments in Day 1 of the PBA 3×3 Second Conference’s third leg, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga were already on the brink of defeat after trailing 16-20 with a little over three minutes to go, but Chris Javier and Almond Vosotros joined hands for a mini 4-0 run to tie the game up with just 2:18 left.
Samboy De Leon dealt the finisher with a lay-up off a Lervin Flores pass, closing the game yet again like what he did in their wins versus Platinum Karaoke (21-20) and Master Sardines (22-18).
Vosotros finished with nine points. De Leon made five markers, as Javier and Flores combined for seven for TNT, who’s now assured of a spot in the quarterfinals after finishing the first day with a clean 3-0 record.
The Tropa will look to sweep Pool A against Leg 2 champs San Miguel in Day 2 tomorrow at 8 a.m. to lock the no. 1 seed. The Beermen are sporting a 2-1 record despite missing Ken Bono, who’s out for the stop due to a leg injury.
Below TNT and SMB in the standings are the Dyip (2-2) and Platinum (1-2). The guest team would need to win versus Master (0-3) at 8:25 a,m. and San Miguel to lose in order to give itself a chance for the next round.
Joining the Tropa in the quarters, meanwhile, are perennial contenders Meralco and Limitless App after topping their respective groups.
The Bolts are leading Pool B with a 2-0 record after conquering budding rivals Ginebra, 21-18, and then CAVITEX with a dominant 22-10 win.
Tonino Gonzaga was their top-scorer for the day with 16 points, 10 of which he did against the Gin Kings to avenge their quarterfinal loss in the last leg.
Meralco has the opportunity to secure the top seed opposite Purefoods at 8:50 a.m. The Tender Juicy Titans are surprisingly at the bottom of the pack at 0-2 after losing to the Barangay (21-20) and the Braves (22-6).
Ginebra and CAVITEX are both carrying similar 1-1 records, and will break the deadlock with a meeting at 9:40 a.m.
The App Masters, on the other hand, are sitting atop Pool C also with a 2-0 card. They started the day with a 21-6 demolition of Pioneer ProTibay, then followed it up with a 20-13 victory over Sista.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser led his side in scoring with 13 points although it had been a total team effort for the reigning grand champions.
Limitless, who’s set to represent Gilas 3×3 in the 31st SEA Games, will take on the NorthPort tomorrow at 10:05 for the chance at the no. 1 spot.
Sista and Pioneer will face each other at 9:15 a.m. in a tiebreaking matchup as both squads are sporting 1-1 records. The two earned their wins against the Batang Pier, bringing them down the rankings at 0-2.
The Scores:
Fifth game
TNT 21 – Vosotros 11, De Leon 6, Flores 4, Javier 0.
Platinum Karaoke 20 – De Chavez 14, Alabanza 3, Andrada 2, Banal 1.
Sixth game
SMB 21 – Manday 11, Rogado 6, Austria 3, Mangahas 1.
Terrafirma 17 – Tumalip 10, Reverente 5, Taladua 2, Bulawan 0.
Seventh game
Meralco 21 – Gonzaga 10, Maiquez 5, Sedurifa 4, Batino 2.
Ginebra 18 – Go 9, Villamor 5, Cabahug 2, Dyke 2.
Eighth game
Sista 22 – Mocon 9, De Vera 6, Manlangit 5, Baltazar 2.
NorthPort 14 – Webb 7, Revilla 4, Olayon 2, Faundo 1.
Ninth game
TNT 22 – De Leon 10, Vosotros 8, Javier 2, Flores 2.
Master Sardines 18 – Hernandez 14, Mahari 3, Mabayo 1.
Tenth game
Terrafirma 21 – Tumalip 8, Taladua 7, Reverente 6.
Platinum Karaoke 18 – De Chavez 6, Alabanza 6, Banal 4, Andrada 2.
Eleventh game
CAVITEX 22 – Soberano 8, Rivero 5, Fajardo 5, Fonacier 4.
Purefoods TJ 9 – Eriobu 6, Javelona 2, Eguilos 1, Bonsubre 0.
Twelfth game
Limitless 20 – Napoles 6, Rosser 6, Hayes 5, Caduyac 3.
Sista 13 – De Vera 6, Mocon 4, Manlangit 3, Baltazar 0.
Thirteenth game
TNT 21 – Vosotros 9, De Leon 5, Javier 4, Flores 3.
Terrafirma 20 – Tumalip 10, Taladua 4, Reverente 3, Bulawan 3.
Fourteenth game
SMB 21 – Manday 14, Mangahas 3, Rogado 2, Austria 2.
Master Sardines 10 – Hernandez 7, Mabayo 2, Mahari 1.
Fifteenth game
Meralco 22 – Batino 8, Gonzaga 6, Maiquez 5, Sedurifa 3.
CAVITEX 10 – Fonacier 5, Rivero 3, Fajardo 2, Soberano 0.
Sixteenth game
Pioneer Pro Tibay 21 – Rono 9, Rivera 4, Abrigo 4, De Chavez 4.
NorthPort 19 – Webb 13, Revilla 3, Faundo 3, Olayon 0.
