The TNT Tropang Giga unveiled a tweaked roster but still got the same result as they won the title in the opening leg of the PBA 3×3 Third Conference on Sunday at the Robinsons Magnolia.
TNT put down the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the finals, 18-15, to capture the crown and the cash prize of P100,000.
Samboy De Leon led TNT with seven points, while sniper Almond Vosotros, and new acquisitions Ping Exciminiano and Gryann Mendoza had timely contributions to push the Tropang Giga to the victory.
The Tropang Giga completed a six-game sweep of all their assignments, including a perfect 3-0 record in pool play to emerge the top seed in Pool A.
They ousted San Miguel Beer in the first round of the knockout stage, 21-18, and then eliminated Purefoods TJ Giants in the semis, 21-13, to barge into the championship round.
The Kings lost stalwarts Encho Serrano, Jolo Go, and Jayson David in last week’s PBA Draft, but were still good enough to reach the finals behind the quartet of Denice Villamor and Mikey Cabahug, along with new players Leo De Vera and Martin Gozum.
In the quarterfinals, they edged out Platinum Karaoke, 21-20, and then survived Meralco Bolts in the semis, 13-10, to arrange the title showdown with TNT.
Ginebra brought home the runner-up purse of P50,000.
Joseph Erioubu and Pao Javelona combined for half of Purefoods’ output as the Giants nipped Meralco, 19-17, to take third place.
Eriobu finished with nine and Javelona added eight to help the team garner the P30,000 prize money.
