TNT picked up from where it left off as it clinched an early quarterfinals berth in the opening leg of the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 Season 3 Monday at Ayala Mall Manila Bay.
National team member Almond Vosotros teamed up with Ping Exciminiano as they combined for 12 points in the Triple Giga’s 20-17 win over Blackwater Smooth Razor to open their First Conference campaign on a high note.
Fresh from winning the grand slam last season, TNT completed a sweep of its Pool A assignment by turning back Pioneer Elastoseal, 13-11, as Vosotros accounted for eight of TNT’s total output.
Despite the loss, the Elastoseal claimed the other playoffs berth in the same pool by edging out the Smooth Razor, 15-14.
The remaining quarterfinal tickets in Pools B and C, are still up for grabs as of press time.
New guest team Wilcon Depot put itself in a perfect position to advance after winning two in a row on opening day of pool play.
The team of coach Anton Altamirano pulled the rug from under multi-leg champion Cavitex, 18-16, before hacking out an 18-13 win over Purefoods led by the eight points of Ael Banal to show the way in Pool B.
It was the second straight loss on the other hand for a revamped Titans side after earlier bowing to the San Miguel Beermen, 20-17.
Meanwhile, early winners in Pool C were Meralco over Terrafirma (19-13) and Barangay Ginebra opposite Northport (21-11).
The three teams with the best records in Pool B and C will join TNT and Pioneer Elastoseal to the knockout stage set on Tuesday at the same venue.
