TNT tries to extend its dominance in the PBA 3×3 Third Conference, eyeing a repeat title when Leg 4 tips off Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Coach Mau Belen kept the trio of Almond Vosotros, Chris Exciminiano, Lervin Flores, and inserted Samboy de Leon to replace the injured Gryan Mendoza as they bid for a fitting follow up to their camapaign just a few days ago which saw the team rule Leg 3 of the standalone tournament at Robinsons Magnolia.
The Tropang Giga downed Purefoods Titans, 21-13, in the finals to win the P100,000 prize money. It was the second leg title this conference for the telecommunication franchise, which also topped the opening leg.
The heavy, 14-game schedule on Day 1 starts at 9 a.m.
Seeded no. 1, TNT leads Pool A along with Master Sardines, Pioneer Pro Tibay, and Barangay Ginebra, and will kick off its back-to-back bid by facing the Kings in the 9:25 a.m. second game.
Last leg runner up Purefoods, meanwhile tops Pool B together with San Miguel Beer, and Cavitex. The Titans retain main man Joseph Eriobu and new acquisition Marvin Hayes, while reactivating Pao Javelona and Antonio Bonsubre to the regular roster.
Platinum Karaoke, Sista Super Sealers, Zamboanga Valientes, and Terrafirma 3×3 comprise Pool C, while Pool D will have Meralco, Limitless App, and NorthPort.
Same format applies where the top 2 teams in each pool will advance in the knockout stage to be played in Day 2 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Joseph Sedurifa of Meralco emerged the top-scoring player of the meet after three legs.
The 31-year-old guard so far amassed a total of 117 points to lead Purefoods’ Eriobu, who has a 114-point total for second place.
Vosotros, the two-time scoring champion, is at third with 108 points, followed by TNT teammate Mendoza with 75 points, and Chris De Chavez of Platinum Karaoke with 74.
Eriobu though, tops the conference in scoring per average with 7.40 a game, slightly ahead of Sedurifa (7.31) and Vosotros (7.30). Terrafirma’s Shaq Alanes (6.36) and Wendel Comboy of San Miguel (6.25) round up the Top 5 list.
TNT on the other hand, tops the ranking in Tour points after three legs with a total of 240 points, followed by Meralco (220), Purefoods (200), Platinum Karaoke (165), and Barangay Ginebra (161).
The total points accumulated by teams at the end of the six-leg conference will serve as berths to the grand finals, where only the top 10 ballclubs see action.
Teams ranked 1-4 are outright seeded to the grand finals, while those within 5-10th places will undergo the process of elimination, with the four surviving teams advancing to the next round.