PLATINUM Karaoke snapped out of its funk and cracked the quarterfinals for the first time in the PBA Season 2 Third Conference with a sweep of pool play in Thursday's Leg 3 at Robinsons Antipolo.
After placing a lowly ninth and 10th in the first two legs, regular contender Platinum finally regained its old form and went two-for-two in Pool B to lead the march of quarterfinalists.
The quartet of Nico Salva, Raphael Banal, Yutien Andrada and TH Tumalip touched things off with a 16-14 victory over Leg 2 runner-up Barangay Ginebra before scoring an 18-16 followup over Blackwater.
Matching Platinum's spotless card were Leg 2 winner TnT (Pool A), J&T Express (Pool C) and Cavitex (Pool D), which topped the other groups.
Tropang Giga aces Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Gryann Mendoza and Samboy de Leon clobbered Pioneer Elastoseal, 21-12, then edged Purefoods, 21-18, for the A-1 position while J&T's Joseph Sedurifa, Robin Rono, Keith Datu and Jeric Teng stamped their class on NorthPort, 20-18, and Meralco, 17-15, for C-1.
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Braves Dominick Fajardo, Jorey Napoles, Chester Saldua and Marion Magat claimed D-1 at the expense of Leg 1 ruler San Miguel Beer, 21-11, and Terrafirma, 17-14.
Advancing as group runners-up were the Pioneer (Pool A), the Gin Kings (Pool B), the Bolts (Pool C) and the Dyip (Pool D), who all toted 1-1.
Terrafirma benefited from its 17-16 upset of the Beermen (0-2) to progress while the Pioneer gained from its 16-14 verdict over Purefoods, Ginebra from its 21-19 victory over Blackwater, and Meralco from its 21-9 demolition of NorthPort.
The last 8 teams standing continue their battle for Leg 3 honors and P100,000 winner's prize on Friday. (OL)
