TNT claims back-to-back conference titles

MANILA, Philippines — The top seeds, the team with the most leg wins, are fittingly the kings of the PBA 3x3 Season 2 First Conference.

Banking on the clutch plays of Gryann Mendoza and Almond Vosotros, No. 1 TNT beat tough Platinum Karaoke, 20-17, in the battle for top honors last night at Robinsons Place Novaliches.

Mendoza knocked down the go-ahead layup while Vosotros canned the insurance freebies as the Tropang Giga fended off the cramping but hard-fighting challengers coming out of a 17-17 tie.

The conference title was the cherry on top for the rampaging TNT 3x3 specialists, who had won three of the six legs in the tourney and scooped back-to-back conference titles counting their conquest of the Third Conference last season.

Vosotros fired eight while Mendoza shot seven even as Lervin Flores had three markers plus eight rebounds and Ping Exciminiano contributed one as TNT clinched its latest feat and the P750,000 purse.

“Can’t even describe it (pride for players). Sa practice pa lang, everyday, we take it seriously and we make sure we stay focused kung gusto naming maulit yung nagawa namin last conference,” said TNT coach Mau Belen.

TNT had control most of the way after going on a 5-0 start but Platinum kept fighting back and managed to draw level with 48.6 seconds to go.

But the Tropang Giga’s championship experience and poise spelled the difference in the end.

Platinum’s Nico Salva, TH Tumalip, Brandon Bates and Yutien Andrada netted P250,000 for the runner-up finish.

Cavitex, meanwhile, took third place worth P100,000 after defeating Meralco, 16-11.