MANILA, Philippines — J&T Express delivered an epic 21-20 come-from-behind victory over TNT to win Leg 6 of the PBA 3x3 Season 2 Third Conference yesterday at Robinsons Place Manila.
Showing no-quit attitude despite the Tropang Giga getting on the hill at 20-13, J&T’s Joseph Sedurifa, Keith Datu, Marvin Hayes and Robin Roño unleashed a strong 8-0 closing barrage to steal it from their stunned rivals.
Sedurifa sparked that fortune-reversing final charge with a bucket and back-to-back booming two-balls as he posted a game-high 10 markers for the victors.
Datu shot five while Roño and Hayes added three apiece in sending J&T to the top again after a nine-leg slump. The guest team last tasted triumph in Leg 2 of the Second Conference.
“After nine legs, nakapasok uli kami ng championship kaya excited kami. Nung nag-run kami, puso lang talaga, walang nag-give up,” said Roño, whose crucial two-pointer pulled J&T to within 20-17 and eventually set the stage for Sedurifa’s closing bombs.
J&T banked P100,000 and joined previous leg rulers San Miguel Beer (Leg 1), TNT (Leg 2), Barangay Ginebra (Leg 3), Cavitex (Leg 4) and Platinum (Leg 5) in the honor roll of season-ending tournament, which will culminate with the Grand Finals on Sunday at Robinsons Las Piñas.
TNT’s Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Luis Villegas and Ping Exciminiano settled for runner-up honors and P50,000.
Meanwhile, Meralco beat Cavitex, 20-17, for the bronze and P30,000.