MANILA – Almond Vosotros delivered when it mattered the most as the TNT Tropang Giga clinched the PBA 3×3 Second Conference grand championship with a 19-17 escape over CAVITEX Braves over the weekend at the Robinsons Town Hall in Malabon.
Struggling with his shots all finals long, Vosotros converted the game-winning two-pointer as the Tropang Giga captured its second consecutive PBA 3×3 grand finals title in Season 2.
The former De La Salle University Green Archers gunner finished the gold medal game with three points, on 1-of-10 field goal shooting, as the Tropang Giga took home the grand prize of P750,000.
“Yung last shot ko para sa buong team kasi talagang hindi kami nag-give up,” said the 32-year-old Vosotros, who was once part of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team pool.
Lervin Flores led the way for the Mau Belen-mentored Tropang Giga 3×3 squad with seven points, while Samboy de Leon and Chris Exciminiano added five and four points, respectively.
The Braves had a dominant start in the championship game and were close to clinching the win after erecting a 17-14 lead following a conversion from Pedrito Galanza before the Tropang Giga made its run.
Flores and Exciminiano conspired in the Tropang Giga’s next three points to tie the score at 17-all to end the regulation before Vosotros rose to the occasion in the extra time to seal the come-from-behind win.
Jorey Napoles led the way for the Braves with eight points, Galanza chipped in four markers as Dominick Fajardo and Chester Saldua had three and two, respectively. They settled for the runner up purse of P250,000.
The Tropang Giga could complete a first ever grand slam in the short history of the halfcourt game in the event they hoist anew the title the final conference set to start in January.
Meanwhile, Joseph Sedurifa exploded for 10 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field to guide J&T Express to a 20-14 beating of Platinum Karaoke in the battle for third place and grabbed the P100,000 prize money./PN
