TNT seeks to stay hot against rivals who are increasingly getting tougher and more motivated to steal the show as the PBA 3x3 Season 2 Second Conference Leg 2 reels off Saturday at Robinsons Place Malabon.
The Tropang Giga have been on a scorching tear, winning the last two legs and the grand championship of the First Conference and annexing the opening offering of the Second Conference, and loom as a heavy favorite to repeat.
Coach Mau Belen made a personnel change for the two-day competition, enlisting big man Ray Mark Acuno in place of Gryann Mendoza, hero of TNT's thrilling 17-15 overtime clincher over Platinum Karaoke last Sunday.
Acuno joins Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores and Ping Exciminiano as the Tropang Giga look to sustain the charge and gun for a quarterfinal seat against Pool A groupmates Terrafirma and Blackwater in Day 1.
Platinum retained the quartet of TH Tumalip, Nico Salva, Yutien Andrada and Brandon Bates as it continues hunting for a breakthrough beginning with Pool B play versus Purefoods and Meralco 3x3.
Sponsored content:
The Bolts missed a rare playoffs appearance in Leg 1 and reactivated leader Tonino Gonzaga with hopes of a strong bounceback.
Barangay Ginebra, which scored a podium finish in the previous stop in Antipolo, enlisted former Perpetual star Kim Aurin and recalled Dennice Villamor to join Donald Gumaru and Raphael Cu. The Gin Kings compete in Pool C against San Miguel Beer and Pioneer Elastoseal.
Cavitex, fourth placers last time, lead Pool D with J&T Express and NorthPort providing challenge.
Twelve pool games highlight the opening day with the top 2 finishers from each group advancing to Sunday's KO stages that culminate in the battle for top honors and P100,000 purse. (OL)
