Platinum Karaoke churns out breakthrough win

MANILA, Philippines — Guest team Platinum Karaoke hit the high notes and scored its breakthrough in Leg 4 of the PBA 3x3 Season 2 Second Conference at the expense of Cavitex, 13-12, yesterday at Robinsons Malabon.

Platinum seized a 13-10 cushion then held tough against the Braves’ final stand to finally strike gold after two leg runner-up finishes and a pair of conference grand finals silver medals since the inaugural season.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said coach Anton Altamirano, whose team fell short in two previous attempts against Limitless in Season 1 and two more tries versus TNT in the current season.

“Matagal na naming pinaghihirapan ito. We’ve gone through so many adversities and challenges but we’ve always believed in God’s timing and today, God rewarded our hard work.”

TH Tumalip fired six while Brandon Bates netted four with four rebounds and two blocks as Nico Salva scored three and Yutien Andrada helped defensively with four boards, two blocks and one steal in the team’s biggest achievement.

On the way to the maiden title worth P100,000, Platinum knocked out old tormentor TNT in the quarterfinals, 13-12, and J&T Express in the semis, 15-13.

Meanwhile, J&T took third place honors after rallying past Blackwater Red President in overtime, 22-20.

J&T saved three match points and knotted the count on two clutch baskets by Keith Datu sandwiching a Joseph Sedurifa shot then banked on Robin Roño’s long bomb to steal the podium finish and P30,000 in the extra period.