ANTIPOLO - Barangay Ginebra ended two seasons of futility in the PBA 3x3 as the Gin Kings claimed top honors for the first time Friday in Leg 3 of the Season 2 Third Conference at Robinsons Antipolo.
Kim Aurin and Donald Gummaru shone bright in the spirited charge for a breakthrough, knocking down the crucial baskets in overtime to pave the way for the pulsating 20-19 clincher over Platinum Karaoke.
Aurin banged in nine points, including the equalizing layup, while Gummaru drilled in the winning jumper to highlight his six-point performance in the milestone-making game.
Ralph Cu shot five as Ralph Salcedo contributed two rebounds to help seal the deal for Ginebra, which hit paydirt after placing second in three previous leg final appearances, including last week's Leg 2 against TNT.
"Minsan lang dumating ang mga ganitong opportunity so grinab namin talaga," said Aurin after the triumph that also netted the squad P100,000.
Sponsored content:
"Sobrang special kasi first time ito. Pinapangarap talaga namin mag-champion kaya binuhos namin ang lahat," said Gumarru, who picked up the long offensive rebound off Aurin's missed game-winning attempt and took care of business himself.
Coach Kirk Collier's charges sealed the deal despite squandering a 17-12 lead in regulation and yielding five unanswered points to Platinum, mostly to Nico Salva.
Salva drew first blood in OT with a post move before Aurin forced a 19-19 deadlock.
Platinum had the chance to get the golden point but Yutien Andrada bungled his undergoal stab, giving Ginebra a ray of hope.
The quartet of Salva, Andrada, Raphael Banal and TH Tumalip settled for P50,000 second prize after giving Platinum its best finish of the conference after a horrible ninth and 10th placing in the first two legs.
Ginebra made it to the final for the second straight stop after defeating Meralco, 15-13. Platinum followed suit with a 19-13 verdict over J&T Express.
Sponsored content:
The Bolts beat J&T in battle for third, 19-15, to take home P30,000. (OL)
