KIM Aurin set up Donald Gumaru for the game-winner as Barangay Ginebra eked out a 19-17 thriller against upset-concious San Miguel in overtime and claimed the opener of the PBA 3x3 Season 3 First Conference Tuesday at the Ayala Mall Manila Bay.
Ginebra rules PBA 3x3 Season 3 first leg
Aurin assisted Gumaru, who knocked in the winning deuce worth P100,000 for the Kings.
Gumaru had a team-high eight points, while Aurin came through for five points, five rebounds, and five assists, and nailed the jumper that gave Ginebra a 17-16 lead with 29 seconds left.
But Chester Saldua scored on a layup eight seconds later to knot the score and send the game into overtime.
Ralph Cu and Ralph Salcedo had four and two points, respective for Ginebra, whose four players are also seeing action for the team in the PBA On Tour.
Kirk Collier calls the shots for the Kings.
“Overtime. First to score two points, then na-open ako so I shot it,” Gumaru said. “Confident naman ako kasi pina-practice namin yun everyday, and nagbunga naman.”
The Beermen, who took home the runner up purse of P50,000, were the sentimental favorite entering the title game after ousting grand slam champion TNT and second seed Cavitex one after the other.
Marvin Lee exploded for 15 points in the quarterfinals as the Beermen ousted the Triple Giga, 22-14, while Ken Bono imposed himself in the paint during the semis, finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds in San Miguel’s 18-10 win over Cavitex to advance in the finals.
But the Kings proved to be a tough nut to crack as Aurin’s jumper gave them the lead for the last time in regulation.
Cavitex beat Terrafirma for the battle for third, 21-15, worth P30,000.
The scores:
Third place
Cavitex (21) – Ighalo 8, Gonzaga 6, Napoles 5, Fajardo 2.
Terrafirma (15) – Rios 9, Cachuela 2, Duremdes 2, Tan 2.
Finals
Barangay Ginebra (19) – Gumaru 8, Aurin 5, Cu 4, Salcedo 2.
San Miguel (17) – Bono 8, Saldua 4, Lee 3, Apacible 2.
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