GRYAN Mendoza took care of business early on before Almond Vosotros delivered the coup de grace in TNT Triple Giga's 21-18 win over Cavitex to retain the PBA 3x3 First Conference championship on Sunday night.
Mendoza rallied the Triple Giga from a five-point deficit to put the team in front, 18-17, and then Vosotros finished off the job with the game-winning deuce that sealed their fifth straight conference title.
TNT dominance
TNT's dominance of the grand finals dates back in the 2021 Third Conference and included a first ever grand slam last season when it swept all three conferences at stake.
Coach Mau Belen said the long reign by the Triple Giga is a testament to them being the best men's 3x3 team today.
"Real talk, my team is the best team, my players are the best players. I have the best (coaching) staff. We have the best supportive management and organization," stressed the multi-titled coach without batting an eyelash following the victory at the Ayala Malls Market! Market!
Mendoza finished with a team-high 10 points, including back-to-back deuces that sparked TNT's fightback from 7-12 down.
Vosotros added seven points, five rebounds, and six assists, Lervin Flores, despite hobbled by injuries, had three points and seven rebounds, while Samboy De Leon scored a single basket to round out the scoring for TNT, which collected the champion's purse of P750,000.
TNT 5-on-5 champion coach and team manager Jojo Lastimosa was present at the venue to support the Triple Giga, while NLEX alternate governor Ronald Dulatre did the same for Cavitex.
The Braves won P250,000 for their runner-up finish and was led by the seven of Dominick Fajardo and the six of Jorey Napoles, who ended Vosotros' reign as the 3-aside scoring champion.
The title showdown was sealed as the Braves and Triple Giga fashioned out dramatic wins in the semis.
Cavitex survived Joseph Sedurifa and the Meralco Bolts to hack out a 17-16 win in overtime behind the game-winner of Bong Galanza, while TNT turned back the gritty Barangay Ginebra Kings, 21-16, as Vosotros caught fire late in the game.
In the battle for third place, Meralco took down Barangay Ginebra, 18-14, to bag the P100,000 prize money.
The scores
Third place
Meralco (18) - Sedurifa 13, Caduyac 2, Maagdenberg 2, Santos 1.
Barangay Ginebra (14) - Gumaru 6, Aurin 5, Cu 2, Salcedo 1.
Finals
TNT (21) - Mendoza 10, Vosotros 7, Flores 3, De Leon 1.
Cavitex (18) - Fajardo 7, Napoles 6, Galanza 5, Ighalo 0.
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