Retooled TNT opens title redemption bid as PBA 3x3 resumes

Heavyweight TNT Triple Giga will be without one of their key players when they open their title redemption bid in the second conference of the PBA 3x3 Season 3 on Monday at the Ayala Mall Circuit in Makati.

TNT, the grand finals champion of the previous conference, will play sans big man Lervin Flores after the 6-foot-5 big man was elevated to the team's 5-on-5 team for the entire Season 48.

With Flores out, Triple Giga head coach Mau Belen tapped the services of Matt Salem and Chester Saldua.

Salem will team up with regulars Ping Exciminiano, Samboy De Leon, and Gryann Mendoza as the Triple Giga look to make a fitting follow up to their campaign in the First Conference where they beat the Cavitex Braves for the championship, 21-18.

TNT is in Pool B together with San Miguel, guest team MCFA Solver Tech Centrale, and NorthPort, which has a new coach in Mike Oliver while Pool C will have Barangay Ginebra, Meralco, Terrafirma, and Purefoods.

Cavitex is in Pool A together with Blackwater and Pioneer Elastoseal.

The PBA 3x3 tournament returns after a two-month break that gave way for the country's hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News