San Miguel Beer was the first to advance in the Leg 2 knockout stage as it emerged unbeaten in pool play of the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 Third Conference Season 2 on Thursday at Robinsons Place Antipolo.
Tonino Gonzaga continued to sizzle for the Leg 1 title holder, scoring nine points and six rebounds in a 22-16 victory over Platinum Karaoke.
The Beermen then followed it up by turning back Meralco, 21-18, as Gonzaga sizzled for 11 points to help the team sweep Pool A and finish as the top seed heading to the quarterfinals.
J&T Express also followed suit with a two-game sweep of Pool C, edging Cavitex Braves, 19-18, as Joseph Sedurifa waxed hot with 12 points, before the veteran guard came through with 11 points in a 21-14 win over Terrafirma.
The six other berths in the quarterfinals are still up for grabs as of press time.
Other early results of Day 1 competitions saw Purefoods winning over Pioneer Elastoseal, 20-14, and Barangay Ginebra spoiling the return of Almond Vosotros at TNT, 21-20.
The Elastoseal, Leg 1 runner up behind San Miguel, managed to bounce back though behind a 21-19 triumph over Blackwater, ditto with the Tropang Giga, a 21-12 winner over NorthPort.
Pioneer and TNT thus, ended the pool play with an even 1-1 slate in Pools B and D, respectively.
The knockout phase is set on Friday, with the champion team getting the top purse worth P100,000.
