PBA 3×3: TNT gets back at Meralco for Leg 5 crown

PBA 3×3 Season 3 Leg 5 champion TNT Triple Giga. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–TNT denied Meralco a third straight title by ruling Leg 5 of the PBA 3×3 Third Conference, 21-18, last Tuesday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Main man Almondo Vosotros delivered down the stretch, scoring the team’s last three points including the short jumper that clinched the title for TNT.

TNT twice lost to Meralco in the finals of the previous two legs.

READ: PBA 3×3: TNT dominates Cavitex to win 3 straight leg titles

Vosotros topscored for the Triple Giga with seven points, Ping Exciminiano and debuting Xyrus Torres had five each, while Chester Saldua added four.

The team coached Mau Belen also dedicated the title to teammate Samboy De Leon, who is out with a season-ending injury.

Jeff Manday finished with seven points for Meralco, which came a win short of claiming a franchise record of three straight-leg championship.

READ: PBA 3×3: Meralco cops leg title to end drought

The two teams set up their third straight finals encounter by disposing of their respective semifinal opponents. The Bolts eliminated guest team MCFASolver Tech Centrale, 17-14, while the Triple Giga beat the Cavitex Braves, 21-16.

The Braves later on clinched third place after defeating the Tech Centrale, 21-13.