TNT threw a wrench on Cavitex's plan to become the first team in PBA 3x3 history to win three consecutive legs.
The Triple Giga stopped the Leg 4 and 5-winning Braves on their tracks with a 21-17 victory in their battle for the Season 3 First Conference Leg 6 title Tuesday at Ayala Malls Trinoma.
Gryann Mendoza delivered seven points with eight rebounds and two assists while Almond Vosotros and Samboy de Leon scored six apiece and Ping Exciminiano chipped in two to get the job done for TNT.
Counting their previous success in Leg 3, the Triple Giga drew level with the Braves and Legs 1 and 2 winner Barangay Ginebra in terms of leg victories in the season-opening conference and built momentum going to the conference grand finals.
Overall, the TNT franchise is now a proud owner of a league-high eight leg victories since the inaugural season in 2021.
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Mendoza carried the scoring load early in the gold medal match, helping the Mau Belen-coached Triple Giga to an 11-8 cushion.
The Braves would threaten at 15-16 on Jorey Napoles' two-ball but De Leon knocked down a clutch corner deuce and Vosotros drilled in a layup and two freebies down the stretch to counter buckets by Tonino Gonzaga and Dominick Fajardo and seal the deal.
"Grabe yung effort na binigay ng team at yung big heart na ipinakita. Sa tingin ko yun ang nagpanalo sa amin sa Leg 6," said Vosotros.
Napoles, Fajardo, Gonzaga and Bong Galanza settled for runner-up honors and P50,000 this time but are expected to take top seeding for the conference championship.
Meanwhile, Keith Datu, Louie Vigil, Yutien Andrada and TH Tumalip produced a milestone podium finish for first-year guest club Wilcon Depot.
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Datu and Co. outdueled Meralco's Patrick Maagdenberg, Joseph Sedurifa. Reymar Caduyac and Bryan Santos, 16-13, to clinch third and P30,000. (OL)
