MANILA – San Miguel Beermen banked on the hot hands of Negrense Jeffrey Manday to defeat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 21-15, in the finals of the PBA 3×3 second conference leg 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Manday, a former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias star, scored the Beermen’s first nine points in the gold medal match as they build a 9-3 lead over the Kings.
The Beermen maintained the advantage from the Kings the entire game before they ended the match with over two minutes left on a basket by Raymond Austria.
Manday top-scored for the San Miguel Beer with 13 points, while the seven other points were divided among Austria, Ilonggo center Ken Bono and Moncrief Rogado.
For capturing their first-ever PBA 3×3 leg championship, the quartet of Manday, Austria, Rogado and Bono took home the top prize of P100,000.
“Sa wakas naka-champion din kami sa PBA 3×3,” Manday told Panay News. “Hindi namin nakuha ito noong first conference. Hopefully this won’t be the last.”
The Kings, which was led by Encho Serrano, Dennice Villamor, Jollo Go and injured Jayson David, settled for the second place cash prize of P50,000.
On their way to the championship round, the Beermen defeated Pioneer Pro-Tibay Epoxy, 21-19, while the Kings pulled off a come-from-behind 21-18 triumph over Limitless Appmasters.
It was an uphill climb for the Beermen after ending at third place in Pool A with 2-2 record. In the quarterfinals, they pulled off a 21-17 upset over Platinum Karaoke.
The Appmasters of Brandon Rosser, Jorey Napoles, Marvin Hayes and Reymar Caduyac, settled for bronze medal and P30,000 after defeating Pioneer, 21-13, in the battle for third place game./PN
