Aurin, Gumaru steer Ginebra to PBA 3x3 title with escape of Platinum Karaoke in Leg 3

Kim Aurin and Donald Gumaru steered Barangay Ginebra to PBA 3x3 Leg 3 crown of Season 2 Third Conference after escaping Platinum Karaoke in overtime, 20-19, on Friday at the Robinsons Place Antipolo.

The former NCAA star, Aurin, lifted the Gin Kings with nine points, but Gumaru's game-winning shot proved crucial as it saved the day for Ginebra. Gumaru grabbed a huge rebound off an Aurin miss then nailed the long jumper to win it all.

Gumaru finished with six points and seven rebounds while Ralph Cu and Ralph Salcedo combined for five points as Ginebra copped its first-ever PBA 3x3 title.

“Gustung-gusto kong mag-champion kasi minsan lang mangyari yung opportunity na ito,” said Aurin.

Ginebra was able to reach the finals twice in the past ubt finished as runner-up in both times behind San Miguel and TNT, respectively.

Ginebra will take home P100,000 while Platinum Karaoke will receive P50,000 for the runner up finish.

During the semifinals, Barangay Ginebra eked out a 15-13 win over Meralco while Platinum Karaoke proved too much against J&T Express, 19-13, to arrange the title showdown.

The scores:
Third place game

Meralco (19) – Batino 9, Caduyac 4, Manlangit 4, Santos 2.

J&T - (15) – Sedurifa 8, Datu 5, Rono 2, Teng 0.

Finals

Barangay Ginebra (20) – Aurin 9, Gumaru 6, Cu 5, Salcedo 0.

Platinum Karaoke (19) – Salva 9, Andrada 7, Banal 3, Tumalip 0.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News