TNT picked up where it left off and produced two hard-fought victories Wednesday, Nov. 24 to begin the second leg of the PBA 3x3 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The first leg champions defeated the Zamboanga Valientes, 21-18, before outlasting the Sista Super Sealers, 21-17, to gain the early lead in Pool A.
Almond Vosotros, Jeremiah Gray, Samboy de Leon and Lervin Flores are scheduled to play the San Miguel Beermen and Cavitex Braves later in the day.
Both wins stretched the Tropang Giga’s unbeaten run to nine games which started when they ruled the inaugural stage of the PBA’s new halfcourt competition over the weekend.
Runner-up Meralco opened its own title bid with a 21-19 win over Limitless in Pool B, only to squander a big lead that allowed Terrafirma to pull off a 17-14 comeback victory.
Dhon Reverente, Roider Cabrera, Terrence Tumalip and Jebb Bulawan were down 12-6 before orchestrating a huge rally behind its outside shooting.
Sista, composed of Prince Rivero, Kenneth Mocon, Leo de Vera and RJ Argamino, posted a 22-16 victory over Cavitex’s Larry Fonacier, Earnest Reyes, Kyles Lao and AC Soberano.
The Pioneer Pro Tibay stunned the first leg’s third placer Purefoods TJ Titans, 21-20, as Carlo de Chavez, Carlo Escalambre, Gian Abrigo and Robin Rono look to atone for the off-court issues that marred their first leg campaign.
Pioneer lost its first two games of the first leg by forfeiture for failing to complete its medical requirements before beating the Beermen after they were cleared to play the final game of the opening stage.
Platinum Karaoke avenged its loss to Purefoods in the battle for third in the first leg as Chris de Chavez, Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza and Yutien Andrada prevailed, 21-16.
The TJ Titans were reduced to three players after Val Acuna left the game due to a collision.
The first 3x3 matchup of old rivals Larry Fonacier and Mark Cardona never materialized in Cavitex’s 21-8 rout of Zamboanga.
Cardona didn’t play for the Valientes after suffering a shoulder injury against the Tropang Giga.