Sista Super Sealers ended the dream run of guest team Pioneer Pro Tibay behind a 20-13 victory to run away with the title in Leg 3 of the PBA 3×3 Lakas Ng Tatlo on Sunday.
Kenneth Mocon poured in nine points in the winner-take-all finals at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, while RJ Argamino, Prince Rivero, and Leo De Vera took care of the rest in handing the team, representing the Rain or Shine franchise, its first championship in the three-a-side tournament.
The victory was worth P100,000 for a side that never even qualified to the knockout stage during the maiden leg held last week.
Coach Juven Formacil referred to the championship as a ‘blessing.’
“I’m very proud of the guys, they’re all heart every game,” he said.
Mocon and Argamino sparked for the Super Sealers early on, hitting from the outside to give the team a 7-4 lead and turn around a game they trailed earlier.
Pioneer Pro Tibay played catch-up the rest of the way and sealed its best finish in the tournament so far at second place worth P50,000.
Sista went undefeated in six games, topping Pool B with a 3-0 record, before beating Limitless Appmasters in the quarterfinals, 17-16, and Purefoods TJ Titans in the semis, 19-15, to reach the championship round.
Meanwhile, Pioneer emerged as the third best team in Pool A at 2-2, then edged out fellow guest team Platinum Karaoke in the Final Eight, 21-19, and denying Terrafirma in the semifinals, 16-15, to arrange the title duel with the Super Sealers.
Pioneer is composed of Gian Abrigo, Carlo De Chavez, Carlo Escalambre, and Christian Rivera, with Lester Del Rosario as head coach.
In the battle for third, Terrafirma salvaged the P30,000 prize purse by defeating Purefoods, 21-16.
Matt Salem finished with a game-high 11 points to help the franchise achieve its best finish in the tournament.
More importantly, the prize money the Dyip won will be given by the team to injured captain Roider Cabrera in helping defray the family’s hospital expenses. The 30-year-old big man is still confined after collapsing in the team dressing room following its game against Barangay Ginebra during the previous leg.