TNT finally completed yesterday a mission that it failed to accomplish last week.
Boosted by a fiery windup, the Tropang Giga tripped guest team J&T Express 21-13 to bag the crown in Leg 5 of the PBA 3×3 Season 2 First Conference at the Robinsons Place Novaliches.
The Mau Belen-mentored quartet uncorked a vicious 15-4 blast that erased a three-point deficit on its way to redeeming itself from a sorry loss, where it squandered a 20-13 lead to San Miguel Beer in overtime 20-22 in the Leg 4 final.
Lervin Flores notched seven points for TNT, while Almond Vosotros and Samboy de Leon added five markers each.
Ping Exciminiano also had four points, including a dagger of a two-pointer that turned out to be the game-winner, for the Tropang Giga who took home the top cash prize of P100,000.
TNT also became the first team to win twice in the season, adding to its triumph in the opening leg.
“Sobrang happy and blessed na nag-champion ulit,” Vosotros said.
The Tropang Giga hiked their overall haul to seven leg wins and one conference diadem since last year.
J&T’s Joseph Sedurifa, Keith Datu, Marvin Hayes, and Robin Rono settled for the league newcomer’s second bridesmaid finish in five stints worth P50,000 anew.
TNT and J&T forged their final duel after hurdling their semifinal foes Cavitex 21-16 and Pioneer Elastoseal 22-21 in overtime, respectively.
The Braves, behind Jorey Napoles’ heroics, downed the Katibays 20-14 to complete the podium and pocket the P30,000 third place purse.
