MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga overhauled an early deficit to defeat Purefoods TJ Titans, 21-19, ad emerge as the grand champion in the PBA 3×3 3rd Conference on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Manila.
Gryann Mendoza dropped eight markers, including the winning two-pointer in extra time. Almond Vosotros added five while Samboy de Leon and Lervin Flores had four apiece for TNT.
Already on the brink of the defeat after being down 19-15 at the latter part of the one-game championship, the Tropang Giga got back-to-back baskets from Mendoza and a two-point play from De Leon to force an extension period.
In the overtime period, Mendoza rose to the occasion as he nailed the go-ahead basket from the top on a pass by Vosotros to capture the conference championship to the Tropang Giga.
For ruling the third conference, the Mau Belen-mentored Tropang Giga took home the top prize of P750,000. TNT also ruled the conference’s Legs 1, 3 and 4 and finished runners-up in the fifth and sixth legs.
“Grabe ang pinakitang puso ng players ko. Last 1:30 we’re down by four, Purefoods (was) two points away from winning the championship. We just didn’t give up. This is the type of team we have,” said Belen.
Joseph Eriobu and Marvin Hayes finished the match with six points each, while Jed Mendoza and Jun Bonsubre had four and three as the TJ Titans settled for second place and P250,000.
On the way to the championship game, the top-seeded Tropang Giga walloped Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals, 21-10, and fourth seed San Miguel Beer in the semifinals, 21-15.
The no.3 seed TJ Titans, on the other hand, advanced to the finale after disposing of Limitless Appmasters in the Last-8, 18-16, and Sista Super Sealers in the Final Four, 21-19.
Sista Super Sealers’ Kenneth Mocon, Joseph Manlangit, Jamil Gabawan and Jan Jamon joined the two in the podium after edging San Miguel Beer in the third-place battle, 21-20, for P100,000./PN
