A bigger field and a slew of new faces are what’s in store in the third conference of the PBA 3×3 Lakas Ng Tatlo.
The return of Zamboanga Valientes complete a 14-team field in the opening leg of the season finale which comes off the wraps on Saturday (May 21) when the standalone tournament takes its act on different malls around the metropolis starting at Robinsons Magnolia.
The 14 teams have been divided into four groups, with the top two in each bracket advancing into the knockout stage.
Multi-titled Limitless App, fresh from its bronze medal finish in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, heads Pool C but parades a roster that will be without Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and veteran Marvin Hayes.
The Appmasters tapped Nico Salva and Alfrancis Tamsi to replace Ganuelas-Rosser, the no. 1 overall pick by Blackwater in the recent PBA draft, and Hayes, who’s not been lined up for Leg 1. The two will play alongside regulars Jorey Napoles and Reymar Caduyac.
Also in Pool C with Limitless App are Purefoods TJ Titans, the revamped Master Sardines team composed of Jeric Teng, Gwyne Capacio, John Derico Lopez, and Joeffrey Javillonar, and Cavitex Braves, who will have former NLEX Warriors Tzaddy Rangel and Bong Galanza in their roster.
TNT Tropang Giga likewise overhauled its lineup by adding Ping Exciminiano and Gryan Mendoza to join Samboy De Leon and Almond Vosotros in leading Pool A, together with Terrafirma 3×3, Barangay Ginebra, and the Valientes.
The Kings are bringing back Mikey Cabahug, Dennice Villamor, along with new acquisitions Martin Gozum and Leo De Vera in lieu of PBA draftees Encho Serrano, Jolo Go, and Jayson David, while the quartet of Reed Juntilla, Jeffry Bernardo, Darwish Bederi, and Jerom Ferrer will suit up for the Valientes.
Meralco, Sista, and Second Conference grand champion Pioneer Pro Tibay opted to keep their respective roster intact and are bunch together in Pool B.
San Miguel is in Pool D along with Platinum Karaoke, and NorthPort.
The Beermen added to their roster Bambam Gamalinda and Wendell Comboy from their 5-on-5 team, Platimun took in Hyram Bagatsing, while the Batang Pier will have newbies Dexter Zamora and Luke Parcero.
All games in the May 21-22 meet starts at 10 a.m.