Bolts back as PBA 3x3 champs

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco broke a long drought in the PBA 3x3 as it topped Leg 1 of the Season 3 Third Conference via a 15-13 finals verdict over MCFASolver yesterday at the Ayala Malls Glorietta.

The Bolts seized a 13-8 cushion then fended off the late rally of the Tech Centrale to reign supreme for the first time since conquering Leg 3 in the opening conference of Season 2.

Alfred Batino (five points), Jeff Manday (five), Reymar Caduyac (three) and Joseph Sedurifa (two) delivered big-time as Meralco reestablished itself following heartbreaking runner-up finishes in two previous finals appearances this season and a close call versus TNT in the battle for the Second Conference crown.

“Finally, we’re here. Salamat sa Diyos,” said Sedurifa after Meralco ended four conferences of futility. “Credit to the coaches and the staff, trinabaho nila talaga ito, especially coach Pat (Fran), and my teammates.”

Meralco banked P100,000 and 100 Tour points for this feat, which hiked its overall collection to five leg wins since 2021.

MCFASolver’s Brandon Ramirez (six), TH Tumalip (three), Yutien Andrada (two) and Louie Vigil (two) fell short in adding a followup to their maiden triumph in Leg 4 in the previous conference and settled for P50,000.

Meanwhile, Cavitex joined the podium finishers after beating Purefoods for third, 21-18. The Braves’ Jorey Napoles (seven), Tonino Gonzaga (six), Philip Paniamogan (four) and Ken Ighalo (four) earned P30,000.