Leg champions Limitless, TNT, Meralco, San Miguel Beer and six others look to end the PBA 3x3 second conference with a championship and P750,000 in the Grand Finals slated Wednesday, April 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Limitless goes in the finale which starts at 9 a.m. favored to repeat its first conference conquest last December as Brandon Rosser, Jorey Napoles, Marvin Hayes and Reymar Caduyac ruled the third and fifth legs.
But Limitless could face a stiff challenge from Leg 1 champion TNT, Leg 4 winner Meralco and SMB, which ruled the second and sixth legs.
The four teams are seeded into the quarterfinals while Pioneer, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Platinum Karaoke, Purefoods, Sista and Terrafirma were divided in two pools to dispute the four remaining slots.
Pioneer, Purefoods and Sista are in Pool A while Ginebra, Platinum and Terrafirma are in Pool B.
Teams made some key roster changes in their quest to deny Limitless’ attempt to extend its dominance in the PBA’s halfcourt competition.
SMB has inserted Bacon Austria and Moncriff Rogado in place of James Mangahas and Jeff Manday, the flashy guard who will be sidelined due to an injury.
Meralco is bringing back Alfred Batino, who was key in the Leg 4 victory, to join Tonino Gonzaga, Joseph Sedurifa and Dexter Maiquez.
Chris de Chavez returns for Platinum after competing for the same team in the recent ASEAN Basketball League 3x3 International Champions Cup in Bali, Indonesia while Terrafirma team manager Ronald Tubid will suit up for the Dyip’s 3x3 squad.
TNT has opted for Chris Javier to play with Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores and Samboy de Leon, SMB will also have Leg 6 hero Ken Bono and Louie Vigil, Pioneer has Carlo Escalambre, Christian Rivera, Gian Abrigo and Robin Rono while Ginebra goes with Encho Serrano, Jayson David, Mark Dyke and Denice Villamor.
De Chavez is joined by Ryan Monteclaro, Ael Banal and Yutien Andrada for Platinum, Joseph Eriobu, Pao Javelona, Jed Mendoza and Jun Bonsubre suit up for Purefoods even as Sista goes with Kenneth Mocon, Jan Jamon, Joseph Manlangit and Jebb Bulawan.
Terrafirma, which barely made the Grand Finals, is going to be led by Dhon Reverente along with Tubid, TH Tumalip and Jeremiah Taladua.