ALMOND Vosotros delivered at clutch time as TNT denied Cavitex of the PBA 3x3 Second Conference grand championship behind a thrilling overtime win, 19-17, Saturday night at the Robinsons Town Hall in Malabon.
PBA 3x3 news
Vosotros was held to just three points on a 1-of-10 field goal shooting, but found his range when needed most, draining the game-winning deuce to give the telecommunication franchise its second straight grand finals title in Season 2.
Lervin Flores and Ping Exciminiano rallied the Tropang Giga from a 14-17 deficit with 1:19 left in regulation to forge the extra period, paving the way for Vosotros’ heroics.
Samboy De Leon added five for the boys of coach Mau Belen, who took home the grand prize of P750,000.
The Tropang Giga could complete a first ever grand slam in the short history of the halfcourt game in the event they win the final conference set to start in January.
TNT actually had won the last three grand finals dating back to the Third Conference of Season 1.
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Braves, who were in control for most of the match, and led by three late in regulation after Bong Galanza hit a 2, before Flores and Exciminiano willed the Tropang Giga back.
Cavitex settled for the runner up purse of P250,000.
Joseph Sedurifa exploded for 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field to guide J&T to a 20-14 beating of Platinum Karaoke in the battle for third place.
It was the first podium finish in a grand finals for the Express, who grabbed the P100,000 prize money.
The scores:
Third place
J&T (20) – Sedurifa 10, Datu 6, Rono 2, Hayes 2.
Platinum Karaoke (14) – Bates 7, Salva 4, Tumalip 3, Andrada 0.
Finals
TNT (19) – Flores 7, De Leon 5, Exciminiano 4, Vosotros 3.
Cavitex (17) – Napoles 8, Galanza 4, Fajardo 3, Saldua 2.