Limitless App wasn’t through making history. And this time, it involved the ultimate one.
The Appmasters picked up from where they left off as they turned back a resilient Platinum Karaoke side, 18-16, to crown themselves kings of the maiden PBA 3×3 grand finals Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fil-Am Brandon Rosser again stood at the forefront of the team’s championship run, while Jorey Napoles, Reymar Caduyac, and veteran Marvin Hayes provided the grit and spunk the Appmasters needed in topping Platinum during the conference finale backed by 1Pacman Party List.
The Appmasters dominated the winner-take-all finals, but had to survive a gallant comeback by Karl Dehesa and Co. before taking home the top purse of P750,000.
Rosser finished with a game-high seven points, Hayes and Napoles combined for six points, while Caduyac added five, including a driving layup which all but settled the outcome of the match.
The special feat came just a week after Limitless App also made it to the PBA 3×3 history book as the first team to win back-to-back titles when it ruled Legs 5 and 6 of the standalone tournament.
“To win three in a row including the grand finals, it’s crazy,” said Rosser afterwards. “We knew that we could do, but when we actually do it and see it happened, it’s unbelievable.”
In all, the 3×3 team of the Phoenix Super LPG franchise, won a total of P950,000, counting the combined P200,000 they received for topping the final two legs of the meet.
Platinum Karaoke, one of three guest teams in the half-court meet, fell behind, 7-14, only to mount a huge endgame rally that saw it tie the game at 16 on a Dehesa twinner.
It was the closest the team could get though, as Limitless App regained its composure just in time to preserve the win.
Composed of Dehesa, Chris De Chavez, Yutien Andrada, and JR Alabanza, the Platinum team of coach Anton Altamirano took home the runner-up purse of P250,000.
Maiden leg winner TNT didn’t miss out on a podium finish as it defeated Terrafirma, 22-14, to take third place worth P100,000.
Almond Vosotros finished in double figures for the Tropang Giga with 12 points to typify his title as the tournament’s scoring champion, which rewarded him with an additional P30,000.
On hand during the awarding ceremony were 3×3 Chairman Richard Bachmann, Commissioner Willie Marcial, Tournament Director Joey Guanio, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) 3×3 Program Director Ronnie Magsanoc, and SBP Deputy Executive Director Butch Antonio.
On the way to the finals, Limitless App bundled out TNT, 21-16, in the Final Four, while Platinum Karaoke made short work of Terrafirma, 21-10.
The Dyip earlier created a stir in the opener of the sudden-death when they scored a 19-15 upset of top seed Meralco, to progress in the semis.
Other quarterfinals result saw Platinum Karaoke slamming the door on fellow guest team Pioneer Pro Tibay, 21-15, Limitless App ousting San Miguel, 21-15, and TNT eliminating Purefoods, 18-13.