Meralco emerges as the first team to clinch a quarterfinals berth in Leg 5 of the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 First Conference after the first day of pool play at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
The Bolts came out of the starting gate like a house on fire on a rainy Monday, and posted back-to-back wins over Barangay Ginebra, 18-13, and Pioneer Elastoseal, 19-14.
Their 2-0 record positioned the Bolts on top of Pool C and a place in the knockout stage to be held on Tuesday.
With big man Alfred Batino leading the charge, Meralco eyes to complete a three-game sweep of the pool play with a win over winless Wilcon Depot, which is being played as of press time.
TNT also joined Meralco in the next round after a similar 2-0 slate in Pool B.
Playing minus top gun Almond Vosotros, the Triple Giga remained in contention for the P100,000 champion purse by winning over Purefoods, 15-14, and Blackwater, 21-14.
Leg 4 champion Cavitex took the early lead in Pool A following a 21-12 rout of Terrafirma for a 1-0 record as Bong Galanza went 5-of-5 from the field to finish with eight points for the Braves, who also got seven from Jorey Napoles.
Still fighting for the remaining quarterfinal berths were Terrafirma (1-1) and Northport (0-1) in Pool A, Blackwater (1-1), Purefoods (1-1), and San Miguel (0-2) in Pool B, and Pioneer Elastoseal (1-1), Barangay Ginebra (1-1), and Wilcon Depot (0-2) in Pool C.
Only the top eight teams — two in Pool A and three in Pools B and C- will play in the quarterfinals.
Runner-up will receive P50,000 and third placer P30,000.
Previous winners this conference include Barangay Ginebra (Legs 1 and 2), TNT (Leg 3), and Cavitex.
