TNT rules first leg of PBA 3x3 tilt

Just weeks after getting the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup trophy, the franchise won another title as it ruled the first leg of the league's 3x3 tournament.

The TNT 3x3 team defeated Meralco Bolts 3x3, 21-18, in the finals of the tourney held in the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Sunday.

The quartet of Almond Vosotros, Jeremiah Gray, Lervin Flores and Samboy de Leon listed no losses in the whole duration of the tournament's first leg.

"Never did we imagine that we would win it all or never lose a game," TNT coach Mau Belen said in an update on the league's website. "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," she added.

Gray led TNT in scoring with 11 points, while De Leon had two. Flores and Vosotros made three points each in the game which also won them P100,000.

Antonino Gonzaga had eight points for Meralco, while Joseph Sedurifa made seven. Dexter Maiquez listed two, while Alfred Batino had a single point in the losing affair. The Bolts will bring home P50,000.

The Purefoods TJ Titans composed of Pao Javelona, Val Acuna, Jed Mendoza and Joseph Eriobu settled for third after beating Platinum Karaoke's Karl Dehesa, Chris de Chavez, JR Alabanza and Yutien Andrada, 21-16, in the third place game. Purefoods will have a P30,000 cash reward.

Prior to the Finals, TNT dispatched Purefoods, 20-16, while Meralco beat Platinum, 18-14, in the semifinals.

The second leg of the 3x3 tournament is scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday.

—JMB, GMA News