Limitless made its way back to the winner’s circle after rallying from behind to beat TNT, 21-20, and capture the third leg of the PBA 3x3 second conference Sunday, March 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jorey Napoles scored 14 points, including the title-clinching tip-in as the App Masters overcame a pair of five-point deficits to stun the Tropang Giga and claim the top prize of P100,000.
Napoles, Brandon Rosser, Marvin Hayes and Reymar Caduyac were victorious after coming their first conference triumph by placing fourth and third in the first two legs.
The App Masters swept Pool C with a 3-0 record, took down second leg winner San Miguel Beermen, 21-14, in the quarters, pulled away to top the Meralco Bolts, 16-11, before prevailing over the Tropang Giga in the finals.
It was the third leg crown for Limitless dating back to the first conference, aside from its Grand Finals victory, to raise its total winnings to P1.08 million.
All of Limitless’ victories in the leg finals came at the expense of TNT.
Napoles, Rosser, Hayes and Caduyac gave themselves confidence not only for the rest of the second conference but also their upcoming campaign in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games.
The four were selected by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to represent Gilas Pilipinas in the country’s bid to retain the men’s 3x3 gold in the biennial meet slated May 12 to 23.
TNT’s Almond Vosotros, Samboy de Leon, Lervin Flores and Chris Javier fell short of taking its second title in three legs, settling for runner-up honors and P50,000.
After sweeping Pool A with a 4-0 mark, the Tropang Giga rolled past Pioneer Pro Tibay in the quarters, 21-8, then survived a big rally by Terrafirma 3x3 to escape with a 21-19 win in overtime on Vosotros’ two-pointer.
Meralco’s Tonino Gonzaga, Alfred Batino, Joseph Sedurifa and Dexter Maiquez completed a podium finish and took home P30,000 following a 21-18 victory over Terrafirma in a battle for third.
SMB suffered an early exit with big man Ken Bono out due to an injury while second leg runner-up Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was also eliminated in a knockout match the last quarters berth by Pioneer, 18-15, after missing the services of ailing cagers Encho Serrano and Jayson David.