CAVITEX pulled off a pulsating 21-19 victory over three-leg winner San Miguel Beer (SMB) in the Leg 2 finals to complete a long drive to PBA 3×3 success yesterday at the Robinsons Place Novaliches.
Former Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 mainstay Jorey Napoles, who joined the Braves from Limitless at the start of Season 2, banged in the winning floater to finish off rallying SMB and secure the franchise’s breakthrough title in the league.
Mr. Napoles finished with seven to back up Bong Galanza’s eight while Dominick Fajardo and Chester Saldua added four and two, respectively, as Cavitex cleared the last roadblock to glory.
The Braves, whose previous best finish was runner-up in Leg 2 of last season’s Third Conference, earned P100,000 for their first major achievement.
It was a tough road for Cavitex as it had to get past two podium finishers from last week on the way to the finale versus SMB.
The Emman Monfort-coached squad unleashed a 7-1 closing barrage to steal a 14-12 verdict over Leg 1 third-placer Platinum in the quarterfinals then leaned on Mr. Napoles’ buzzer-beating stab to stun Leg 1 runner-up Meralco in the semis, 17-16.
Beermen Ken Bono, Wendell Comboy, Jeff Manday and Fonso Gotladera, who reached the finals after beating Leg 1 winner TNT in the Last-4, 21-14, went home with the P50,000 second place purse.
TNT’s Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Samboy de Leon and Ping Exciminiano consoled themselves with the bronze after a 20-17 win over fellow losing semifinalist Meralco. The Tropang Giga netted P30,000. — Olmin Leyba
