FOILED twice previously, TNT finally hit pay dirt–and scored a fitting payback–at the expense of Meralco yesterday.
The Triple Giga nipped the Bolts 21-18 and denied their former tormentors in Leg 5 of the PBA 3×3 Third Conference at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque.
Prolific gunner Almondo Vosotros took over in the homestretch of the tightly-fought duel, scoring the team’s last three points, including a short jumper that clinched for TNT its first leg crown in the final conference of Season 3.
The Triple Giga fell to Meralco in the finals of the previous two Legs.
Vosotros showed the way for TNT with seven points, while Ping Exciminiano and debuting Xyrus Torres had five markers each.
Chester Saldua added four for the Triple Giga, who took home the top purse of P100,000.
The quartet of coach Mau Belen also dedicated its title conquest to teammate Samboy De Leon, who is out with a season-ending knee injury.
“This is for you brother. Get well soon,” Saldua said, referring to De Leon, who was replaced by Torres.
Added Vosotros: “Last time na natalo kami sa Legs 3 and 4, we weren’t playing defense so nag-focus kami sa defense in this leg.”
Jeff Manday finished with seven points for Meralco, which came a win short of bagging a franchise record of three straight leg diadems.
The runner-up finish was worth P50,000 for the Bolts.
The Triple Giga and Bolts arranged a third straight tiff in the Big Dance after hurdling their respective semifinals opponents Cavitex (21-16) and MCFASolver (17-14).
The Braves’ Bong Galanza, Ken Ighalo, Tonino Gonzaga and Clint Doliguez joined their two sister teams in the podium and banked P30,000 after whipping the Tech Centrale 21-13.
