ON-target Meralco unleashed a searing bombing run to repeat against TNT, 21-13, and go back-to-back in Leg 4 of the PBA 3x3 Season 3 Third Conference Tuesday at Ayala Malls Circuit.
Turning to the very weapon that made their rivals highly successful, the Bolts rained seven two-pointers on the Triple Giga to lay the foundation to the runaway win, where they led by as many as eight points.
Joseph Sedurifa and Jeff Manday fired three apiece from beyond the arc while JJ Manlangit accounted for the other long bomb as Meralco accomplished its mission of maintaining its status as the hottest team of the tournament.
The wards of Patrick Fran made franchise history by winning not only back-to-back plums but also three legs in a single conference.
Sedurifa fired nine while Manday rifled in seven and Manlangit and Alfred Batino added three and two, respectively, in this newest feat.
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The four banked P100,000 and hiked Meralco's collection to a total of seven leg wins since the league inaugurals in 2021.
The Bolts denied multi-titled TNT its breakthrough in the season-ending conference. The 18-leg winner Triple Giga had two runner up finishes and a pair of seventh place finishes going to the next leg.
Almond Vosotros, back in the fold after missing their silver-medal run last time, topscored with seven made only one of his six tries from beyond the arc for TNT.
Samboy de Leon had five, Gryann Mendoza had one and Matt Salem went scoreless as TNT settled for the P50,000 second prize.
On their way to the title rematch, Meralco beat NorthPort, 21-17,and Blackwater, 21-15, while TNT disposed of Purefoods, 21-9, and Leg 2 ruler MCFASolver, 22-18, in the earlier sessions of the KO rounds.
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Meanwhile, riding the 18-point eruption of Wendell Comboy,
Blackwater outclassed MCFASolver, 21-18, to make the podium for the first time.
The Smooth Razor netted P30,000 after improving by one spot their previous franchise best finish of fourth in Leg 2 of the previous conference.(OL)
