ALMOND Vosotros and TNT Tropang Giga survived a late-shooting charge by Tonino Gonzaga to overcome a tough-fighting Meralco unit yesterday 21-19 and rule the opening leg of the PBA 3×3 Lakas Ng Tatlo second conference.
Vosotros, 32, had a team-high 10 points and drained the title-clinching 2 that gave the TNT franchise another leg crown in the standalone tournament.
New acquisition Mark Acuno added four, and Samboy De Leon and Lervin Flores had four and three each for TNT, which bagged the top prize of P100,000.
The victory was a repeat of the similar victory the Tropang Giga pulled off against the Bolts 21-18 in the maiden leg of last year’s opening conference.
Until Vosotros caught fire, the Tropang Giga trailed early on 3-8. But the tide turned when the veteran guard went to work late in the game, enabling TNT to take the lead 16-15.
Gonzaga, however, wasn’t about to let Meralco down as he tied the game at 17.
The playmaker out of Ateneo then engaged Vosotros in a shootout as the two exchanged long 2s to keep the score knotted at 19, before TNT finally sealed the game with another huge outside basket from its top player.
“Luckily pumasok ‘yung tira ni Almond. He’s been missing shots, but I told him to keep on shooting kasi ‘yun ang laro niya. And the right moment will come, papasok din yan,” said TNT coach Mau Belen.
Gonzaga led all scorers with 11 points for the Bolts, who claimed the runner-up purse of P50,000.
The Tropang Giga and Bolts arranged their title showdown after ousting their respective semifinals opponent. Meralco edged top seed Barangay Ginebra 21-20 while TNT held its ground against Limitless App 20-19.
The Kings beat the Appmasters, the inaugural grand champion, for third place 21-27 and won P30,000.
