THE PBA 3×3 Season 3’s opening leg belonged to a team not named TNT.
Ginebra nipped San Miguel Beer 19-17 yesterday to bag the first conference title at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Donald Gumaru finished with eight points, including the game-winning deuce that clinched for the Kings the P100,000 prize money after a nip-and-tuck duel.
Kim Aurin also had an all-around game of five points, five rebounds, and five assists, while setting up Gumaru for the game winner.
Ralph Cu and Raphael Salcedo scored four and two points, respectively, for the Kings of coach Kirk Collier.
All four Ginebra cagers incidentally are also part of the team’s roster in the ongoing PBA On Tour.
The Kings ousted Terrafirman 17-13 in the semifinals of the fledgling 3×3 meet.
It was a heartbreaker of a loss for the Beermen, who earlier pulled off shocking wins over the grand slam champion Triple Giga and second seed Cavitex to reach the finals.
Marvin Lee boomed in 15 points in the quarterfinals as the Beermen pulled the rug from under TNT 22-14.
The Beermen pocketed the P50,000 runner-up purse.
Cavitex beat Terrafirma in the battle for third place 21-15.
Earlier in the quarterfinals, the Braves shut the door on Meralco 21-17, Terrafirma denied newcomer Wilcon Depot a semifinals slot 20-18, and Ginebra downed Pioneer 19-16 to advance.
