A HAT trick for Meralco?
The Bolts seek a third straight crown in the PBA 3×3 Third Conference but will have to make do without one of their leaders.
Meralco will go into action in Leg 5 today at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque without veteran big man Alfred Batino, who was relegated to the reserved list by coach Patrick Fran and replaced by Red Cachuela.
But the deadly duo of Jeff Manday and Joseph Sedurifa, along with JJ Manlangit, are back for another tour of duty in the quartet’s bid to win the P100,000 top purse anew.
Currently leading the conference tour on points, the Bolts won the opening phase and then scored back-to-back wins in Legs 3 and 4, both at the expense of the TNT Triple Giga, including a 21-13 victory last week.
The Triple Giga also go to the penultimate leg of the tournament by slightly changing their roster following the season-ending injury suffered by Samboy De Leon.
In place of De Leon is Xyrus Torres, who will combine with Chester Saldua, Ping Exciminiano, and Almond Vosotros as TNT seeks its first leg diadem this conference.
San Miguel Beer won’t be having main man Ken Bono, too, as the Beermen opted for the line-up of James Mangahas, John Apacible, John Paul Sarao, and Kim Rico Cinco, while Jorey Napoles will be out for Cavitex, which tapped Clint Doliguez, Tonino Gonzaga, Kenneth Ighalo, and Bong Galanza.
Meralco drew Cavitex and Northport in Pool A, while TNT is joined in Pool B by San Miguel, Purefoods, and Pioneer Elastoseal.
Fresh from its first ever podium finish, Wendell Comboy and Blackwater lead guest team MCFASolver, Ginebra, and Terrafirma in Pool C.
The first game at 11:00 a.m. will be between San Miguel and Purefoods.
