After a long wait, Joseph Eriobu and the Purefoods TJ Titans are leg champion again of the PBA 3×3.
The Titans leaned on Eriobu’s hot shooting to upset TNT Tropang Giga, 20-16, and claim the final leg of the tournament’s Third Conference on Sunday at the Robinson’s Place Manila.
Eriobu accounted for 11 of the Titans’ total output to power the team to the championship and the P100,000 prize money.
It was the first leg crown for the Purefoods franchise since ruling Leg 4 of the first conference.
Eriobu waxed hot early on as the Titans raced to an early 8-2 lead from which they never looked back.
Almond Vosotros, who paced the Tropang Giga with 11, tried to rally back his team and came close to within 16-12, before Eriobu connived with Jun Bonsubre and Marvin Hayes to finish off the match.
Jed Mendoza added four for the Titans, Bonsubre with three, and Hayes two while winning his first 3×3 title since parting ways with Limitless App.
The Tropang Giga settled for the P50,000 purse as they finished runner up for the second straight leg.
The Titans also went to Eriobu for the needed points as they slammed the door on Meralco Bolts, 19-17, in the semis. Earlier, they beat Platinum Karaoke in the quarterfinals, 21-15.
The Tropang Giga on the other hand, leaned on another Vosotros explosion as the former La Salle stalwart had 10 points in an 18-16 semis victory over Limitless App. They ousted Cavitex in the quarterfinals, 21-16.
In the battle for third, Meralco edged Limitless App, 18-17, to take home P30,000.
The scores:
Finals:
Purefoods 20 ‒ Eriobu 11, Mendoza 4, Bonsubre 3, Hayes 2.
TNT 16 ‒ Vosotros 11, De Leon 2, Flores 2, Exciminiano 1.
Battle for Third:
Meralco 18 ‒ Gonzaga 7, Maiquez 5, Batino 4, Española 2.
Limitless App 17 ‒- Napoles 8, Salva 5, Arambulo 2, Camacho 2.