TNT seeks title repeat
TNT Tropang Giga tries to extend its dominance when Leg 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association Lakas ng Tatlo 3x3 Third Conference tips off Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
TNT coach Mau Belen kept the trio of Almond Vosotros, Chris Exciminiano, Lervin Flores, and inserted Samboy de Leon to replace the injured Gryan Mendoza as they bid for a fitting follow up to their title conquest in Leg 3 at Robinsons Magnolia.
The Tropang Giga downed Purefoods Titans, 21-13, in the finals to win the P100,000 prize money.
It was the second leg title this conference for the telecommunication franchise, which also topped the opening leg.
The heavy, 14-game schedule on Day 1 starts at 9 a.m.
Seeded No. 1, TNT leads Pool A along with Master Sardines, Pioneer Pro Tibay, and Barangay Ginebra, and will kick off its back-to-back bid by facing the Kings in the 9:25 a.m. second game.
The heavy, 14-game schedule on Day 1 starts at 9 a.m.
Last leg runner up Purefoods, meanwhile, tops Pool B together with San Miguel Beer and Cavitex.
The Titans retain main man Joseph Eriobu and new acquisition Marvin Hayes, while reactivating Pao Javelona and Antonio Bonsubre to the regular roster.
Platinum Karaoke, Sista Super Sealers, Zamboanga Valientes, and Terrafirma 3x3 comprise Pool C, while Pool D will have Meralco, Limitless App, and NorthPort.
Same format applies where the top 2 teams in each pool will advance in the knockout stage to be played in Day 2 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Joseph Sedurifa of Meralco emerged the top scoring player of the meet after three legs.
So far, the 31-year-old guard had already amassed a total of 117 points to lead Purefoods’ Eriobu, who has a 114-point total for second place.
Vosotros, the two-time scoring champion, is at third with 108 points, followed by TNT teammate Mendoza with 75 points, and Chris De Chavez of Platinum Karaoke with 74.
Eriobu, though, tops the conference in scoring per average with 7.40 a game, slightly ahead of Sedurifa (7.31) and Vosotros (7.30). Terrafirma’s Shaq Alanes (6.36) and Wendel Comboy of San Miguel (6.25) round up the Top 5 list.