Sista and Pioneer Pro Tibay arranged an unlikely showdown for the PBA 3x3 second conference crown after winning their respective semifinal matches in the Grand Finals Wednesday, April 27 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Jan Jamon’s layup at the buzzer propelled Sista past fancied TNT, 13-12, while Robin Rono’s two-pointer gave Pioneer a thrilling overtime victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 16-14.
Both teams will meet later in the day to determine the winner of the P750,000 top purse.
It was an unlikely run for Sista and Pioneer, which had to go through the pool play just to make it to the championship game.
Sista topped Pool A with a 2-0 record, including a 19-17 victory over Pioneer when the first phase of the Grand Finals was held last April 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
That saw the Grand Finals being moved a week later when a fire broke out inside the Big Dome.
Pioneer pulled off a major upset in the quarterfinals by ousting first conference champion Limitless, 16-14, also in overtime on Gian Abrigo’s two-point shot.
Sista also produced a stunning win in the quarters when it eliminated another contender in Meralco, 16-15.