MERALCO 3x3 returned to the top after a six-leg drought in the PBA 3x3, getting the job done with a 19-14 triumph over guest team J&T Express in the Leg 3 finals of the Season 2 First Conference Sunday at Robinsons Place Las Pinas.
Alfred Batino turned in a dominant performance of nine points on a 7-of-10 field goal clip along with five rebounds and two blocks to power the Bolts to victory, their first since ruling the second stop of last season's Third Conference.
Batino hit a big-time two-ball to spark a telling 9-2 salvo that gave Meralco a 15-10 cushion going to the last 3:18. J&T mounted a late rally and threatened at 16-13 but the Bolts quashed it with Leo de Vera's deuce and Batino's insurance.
Meralco's Season 1 holdovers Batino and Tonino Gonzaga and their new teammates de Vera and Reymar Caduyac netted P100,000 for this feat, which hiked the franchise's overall collection to four leg titles.
"It feels great to win a leg again in the same venue," said Gonzaga, who was actually injured and on the reserve roster when the Bolts last claimed leg first place back in May.
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"Ginawa lang namin ang best namin at nagtiwala sa isa't isa," said Caduyac, who joined Meralco after a stellar stint with Limitless.
J&T's Robin Rono, Keith Datu, Jeric Teng and Joseph Sedurifa, a former Meralco stalwart, settled for runner-up honors worth P50,000 while giving the league newcomers their best finish after fourth and fifth place finishes in its first two leg appearances.
Meralco reached the gold medal match after scoring a vengeful 16-15 semis verdict over TNT, its conqueror in the Leg 1 finale. J&T advanced after taking down Leg 2 winner Cavitex in the semis, 18-17, behind two inside baskets by Datu in overtime.
Cavitex's Jorey Napoles, Tzaddy Rangel, Dominick Fajardo and Bong Galanza posted the team's second straight podium finish after beating TNT in the battle for third, 21-13. The Braves netted P30,000. (OL)
