MANILA – The PBA 3x3 Lakas Ng Tatlo crowned a new leg champion in Purefoods as the TJ Titans thwarted the Meralco Bolts, 21-16, in Sunday’s finale at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Pao Javelona took charge with a game-high 10 points for the Titans, who took the most opportunity in their breakthrough appearance in the championship round of the three-a-side tournament.
The 6-foot guard out of National University sparked a closing 6-1 spurt by Purefoods, including three in a row that allowed the team to break free from a tight contest and finally take control, 18-15.
Big man Jun Bonsubre, a replacement for the injured Val Acuna, then capped the run with a long two to clinch the Leg 4 title and the top purse of PHP100,000.
“Gusto talaga naming manalo (We really want to win),” quipped Javelona, a free agent picked by Phoenix in the 2016 draft, in the post-game interview. “Kahit anong mangyari sa games, focus lang kami, bad calls man or turnovers. Basta next play kami, kasi sa 3x3 mahirap pag nag-dwell ka sa mali mo. Mabilis ang laro (Whatever happens in the games, we stayed focus, bad calls or turnovers. We just played, we should not dwell on our mistakes because it’s 3x3, games are fast).”
Joseph Eriobu added five points, and Jed Mendoza and Bonsubre had three each to round out the scoring for Purefoods, a team with a rich winning tradition in the PBA’s 5-on-5 games.
“I’m just happy for the boys. Yung hard work nila na-reward this time sa (Their hard work was rewarded in) fourth leg ng 3x3,” said champion coach Tony Boy Espinosa, whose team’s highest finish in the tournament prior to winning the title was third place during the maiden leg won by TNT Tropang Giga.
Meralco, winner of Leg 2, settled for PHP50,000 as the quartet of Tonino Gonzaga, Alfred Batino, Joseph Sedurifa, and Dexter Maiquez and coached by Patrick Fran placed runner-up for the second time in the tournament.
In the battle for third, TNT outlasted top seed Platinum Karaoke in a thrilling finish, 21-20, to take home PHP30,000.
Samboy de Leon sank the game winner for the Tropang Giga, composed of Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, and Martin Gozum, who took over the place of injured Jeremiah Gray.
The Titans, who topped Pool C, disposed Pioneer Pro Tibay in the quarterfinals, 20-15, and then came from behind to nip Limitless Appmasters, 15-11, in the semis to reach the finals for the very first time.
The Bolts, on the other hand, eliminated Cavitex, 21-16, before booting out No. 1 seed Platinum Karaoke in the semis, 21-13, to set up the title showdown with the Titans.
Leg 5 of the 3x3 season opener will be played on Saturday also at the Ynares Sports Arena. (PR)
