Platinum Karaoke edged out Pioneer, 21-18, to emerge as the only team that went unbeaten in the preliminary round of the PBA 3x3 second leg Thursday, Nov. 25 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The team of Chris de Chavez, Karl Dehesa, JR Alabanza and Yutien Andrada had to stave off the challenge of the Pro Tibay’s Carlo de Chavez, Carlo Escalambre, Robin Rono and Gian Abrigo to give Platinum top spot in Pool C with a 3-0 record.
Pioneer placed second in the pool at 2-1, but is assured of a spot in the quarterfinals being held at presstime.
Also to be played are the semis and finals, with the winner taking home P100,000 while P50,000 and P30,000 go to the runner-up and third placer.
Limitless secured top spot in Pool B after an 18-11 win over a Terrafirma squad that saw action for the first time since Roider Cabrera collapsed after leading his team to two wins the previous day.
Brandon Rosser, JP Belencion, Marvin Hayes and Reymar Caduyac finished at 2-1, tied with first leg runner-up Meralco and Terrafirma.
Meralco’s Tonino Gonzaga, Alfred Batino, Joseph Sedurifa and Dexter Maiquez beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 21-12, to secure second spot and a quarters berth.
Terrafirma’s Dhon Reverente, TH Tumalip, Jebb Bulawan and Cabrera’s replacement Matt Salem were relegated to a knockout match with shorthanded Purefoods for the eighth and last quarters slot.
Purefoods bucked the absence of Val Acuna due to a broken jaw as Joseph Eriobu, Jed Mendoza and Pao Javelona rolled past NorthPort, 21-12, to secure third place in Pool C at 1-2.
San Miguel Beer’s Jeff Manday, Louie Vigil, James Mangahas and Jhan Nermal coasted past the Zamboanga Valientes, 21-9, to clinch third place and quarters berth in Pool A.
The Beermen finished tied with the Cavitex Braves at 2-2 but advanced to the last eight because of their 21-19 win in pool play.