Cavitex bolstered its bid for a third straight championship in the Philippine Basketball Association 3×3 First Conference after marching outright to the knockout stage of Leg 6 Monday at the Ayala Malls Trinoma.
The Braves just needed to beat Blackwater Smooth Razor, 17-13, to advance in the quarterfinals and keep on track of winning a leg title for the third consecutive time.
Jorey Napoles topscored for seven points and Bong Galanza had five for Cavitex, which booked one of the quarterfinals tickets in Pool A.
TNT Triple Giga clinched the other berth in the same group behind a 21-16 victory over Blackwater, which officially bowed out of the quarterfinals running after two straight losses.
The Braves and Triple Giga, champion of Leg 3, are battling for the No. 1 seed as of press time heading to the knockout stage set on Tuesday.
Also advancing to the next round were Wilcon Depot and Barangay Ginebra, which both secured two victories in the opening day of pool play.
Wilcon turned back Pioneer (18-11) and Meralco (19-15) to take the top spot in Pool B.
The Kings, back-to-back champions in Legs 1 and 2, on the other hand, downed San Miguel (21-12), and Terrafirma (21-15) for the No. 1 slot in Pool C.
Four quarterfinal berths are still being contested by Meralco, Purefoods, and Pioneer in Pool B, and Northport, Terrafirma, and San Miguel in Pool C.
Meralco, Purefoods, Northport, and Terrafirma all sport identical records of 1-1, while San Miguel and Pioneer, runner-up finishers to Cavitex in Leg 5 last week, are in danger of missing the cut with their 0-2 slates.
Only the top eight teams will make it to the quarterfinals of the final leg of this conference prior to the Season 3 grand finale set 13 August at the Ayala Malls Market! Market!
Leg 6 champion is set to receive P100,000, runner-up P50,000, and third placer P30,000.
