CAN fancied TNT hack it without its prized big man?
The Triple Giga of coach Mau Belen hope so when they kick off their bid in the PBA 3×3 Season 3 today at the Ayala Malls Circuit in Makati.
TNT will see action in the return of the fledgling 3×3 meet after a two-month break without veteran Lervin Flores in the opening leg of the Second Conference after the 6-foot-5 center was added to the TNT 5-on-5 team for the coming 48th season.
Flores was tapped after the squad was hit by a slew of injuries to several of its key players.
In his place, Belen will field Matt Salem while Chester Saldua will be the team’s reserve.
Salem will play right away with TNT, teaming up with regulars Ping Exciminiano, Samboy De Leon, and Gryann Mendoza as the Triple Giga look to make a fitting follow up to their campaign in the First Conference where they beat the Cavitex Braves 21-18 for the title.
Curiously, TNT main gunner Almond Vosotros is also listed as a reserve heading to the opening day of pool play where a total of 13 matches will be played.
Cavitex opens hostilities against Blackwater at 10:30 a.m. as it leads Pool A along with Pioneer Elastoseal.
TNT is in Pool B together with San Miguel, guest team MCFA Solver Tech Centrale, and Northport, which has a new coach in Mike Oliver.
Pool C will have a souped-up Ginebra quartet, Meralco, Terrafirma, and Purefoods.
The top two teams in Pool A and top three each in Pools B and C will advance to the knockout stage set tomorrow.
The Leg champion will receive P100,000, runner up P50,000, and third place P30,000.
