TNT Tropang Giga swept its way to the championship of the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 Lakas Ng Tatlo maiden leg capping its domination with a 21-18 victory over Meralco in Sunday’s finale at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Filipino-American Jeremiah Gray showed the way for the Tropang Giga with 11 points, including four in a row that pushed his team at match point, 20-17, inside the final 1:50 of the winner-take-all match.
The Bolts made one final push behind Dexter Maiquez, before Almond Vosotros sealed the deal for TNT by nailing the second of his two free throws, sparking an on-court celebration by the Tropang Giga.
The victory was worth P100,000 for the winning team, which completed a seven-game romp of the two-day meet.
The championship was the second in almost a month for the TNT franchise after its 5-on-5 team ruled the Philippine Cup to end a six-year title drought.
“It was tough. Never did we imagine that we would win it all or never lose a game,” said TNT coach Mau Belen, the pioneering lady head coach who won the title in her pro league debut. “We only had two or three weeks to train together and one week with Jeremiah, so there’s nothing really to expect. But the boys just gave it their all.”
Samboy de Leon added four, while Vosotros and Lervin Flores each had three to round out the scoring for the Tropang Giga, who made the finals by beating Purefoods TJ Titans, 20-16, in the semifinals.
Tonino Gonzaga carried the fight with eight points for Meralco, which settled for the runner-up purse of P50,000. The Bolts, coached by Patrick Fran, made some noise in the other semis pairing when they upended title contender Platinum Karaoke, 18-14.
Joseph Eriobu scored eight points in a 22-16 Purefoods romp over Platinum Karaoke in the battle for third place worth P30,000.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and 3×3 Chairman Richard Bachmann handed out the giant replica cheques to the top three finishers, along with Tournament Director Joey Guanio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas 3×3 Program Director Ronnie Magsanoc.
During the knockout quarterfinals, Purefoods edged Terrafirma, 20-19, Meralco ousted Cavitex, 22-19, TNT whipped Barangay Ginebra, 21-14, and Platinum Karaoke barely survived San Miguel Beer in a low-scoring game, 9-8.
The second leg will be held on November 24 and 25.