YOU can't keep a proud, accomplished team like TNT away from the top for long.
With determination in their eyes, the Triple Giga took down hat trick-seeking Meralco in the final battle for Leg 5 honors, 21-18, to end an uncharacteristic winless spell in the PBA 3x3 Season 3 Third Conference Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Almond Vosotros fired seven points spiked by a pair of dagger layups and the clinching jumper that catapulted the Triple Giga back to the summit and enjoying sweet revenge against a Meralco team that denied them the gold in the last two legs.
Vosotros, who was complemented by the five-point outputs of Ping Exciminiano and debutant Xyrus Torres and the four markers and five rebounds of Chester Saldua, cited TNT's defense for its return to winning form.
"Last time na natalo kami sa Legs 3 and 4, we weren't playing defense so nag-focus kami sa defense in this leg," said Vosotros, whose team dedicated this conference breakthrough worth P100,000 to Samboy de Leon, who sustained a knee injury last week and is out for the season.
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TNT's defense-oriented approach enabled it to seize control early, 7-3, never relinquishing it until they reached championship point and stretched its franchise haul to 19 legs overall.
Meralco's quartet of Jeff Manday (seven), Joseph Sedurifa (5), JJ Manlangit (3) and Red Cachuela (3) settled for runner up honors worth P50,000 after emerging victorious from previous finals appearances in Legs 1, 3 and 4.
The Triple Giga and Bolts arranged a third straight confrontation for the gold after dispatching their respective semifinal 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 outplaying the Tech Centrale, 21-13.(OL)
