Guest team MCFSolver eked out a thrilling 20-18 victory over a hard-fighting Northport side to claim a second straight quarterfinals berth in the PBA 3×3 Season 3 Second Conference at the Ayala Mall Circuit in Makati on Monday.
Brawny Brandon Ramirez sank two pressure-packed free throws in the final 14 seconds to break a tight 18-18 contest and hand out Tech Centrale its second straight win in Pool C on the opening day of pool play.
The 6-foot-5 Ramirez finished with 10 points and six rebounds to help the new kids on the block take the top spot in their group and advance to the knockout stage for the second consecutive legs.
Northport fell to a 0-2 record as it lost its first game against Terrafirma, 16-13.
Other than the Tech Centrale, the rest of the teams are still in the running for the remaining quarterfinal tickets being disputed as of presstime. Only eight will advance to the next round set on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra kept its hopes alive of moving into next round following a 17-13 upset of Cavitex.
Unheralded 6-foot-4 Lean Martel emerged as the best player of the game with five points and nine rebounds as he held his own against the Braves’ seasoned veterans Jorey Napoles and Marion Magat.
The Kings evened their record at 1-1 after initially losing to the San Miguel Beermen in their opening assignment in Pool B, 20-16.
They now face Pioneer Elastoseal Katibays in a do-or-die game in the final day of pool play to advance in the knockout stage.
The Katibays also sport an even 1-1 record in Pool B after winning over San Miguel, 16-14, and previously losing to Cavitex, 16-12.
In Pool A meanwhile, Leg 1 winner TNT takes the lead with a 1-0 record by downing Blackwater, 21-16.
But the Bossing bounced back to tie their slate at 1-1 with a 20-15 win over Purefoods.