MERALCO pulled the plug on TNT's grand plans of claiming a seventh straight conference championship and installed itself as the new champions of PBA 3x3.
The Bolts, winner of three legs in the Season 3 Third Conference, made their coronation official with a 21-17 toppling of the Triple Giga in a hard-fought finale Monday night at Ayala Malls Glorietta.
The top-seeded Bolts turned to Joseph Sedurifa and JJ Manlangit in a 6-2 windup to power through this breakthrough and end the long reign of the Triple Giga that started in the Third Conference of Season 1.
Sedurifa shot a game-high eight points capped by back-to-back two-balls that sealed Meralco's ascension to the throne at the expense of the powerhouse that made them settle for runner-up honors in the Grand Finals of the previous conference.
JJ Manlangit added seven while Joseph Batino had five as Jeff Manday scored one for Patrick Fran's squad, which went home with the grand prize of P750,000.
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"Sobrang tagal na namin sa PBA 3x3, first time namin na-experience nito," said Batino.
The Bolts went through the wringer before getting a second shot at the conference title.
In the semis, Meralco faced a 17-20 deficit against Blackwater but managed to turn it around with a 4-0 bomb closed by Sedurifa's deuce.
"Si Lord ang may gawa nito, hindi kami. Blackwater (semis game) pa lang, down kami ng three. Destiny siguro ito sa amin para manalo," said Sedurifa.
The TNT crew of Almond Vosotros (five), Ping Exciminiano (four), Gryann Mendoza (four), and Chester Saldua (four) settled for the silver for the first time in seven conference finals appearances and netted P250,000.
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Meanwhile, Cavitex copped third place and P100,000 after beating the Bossing, 22-19. (OL)
