Cavitex Secures Back-To-Back Victories, Dominates Pioneer In Leg 5 Finals

Cavitex showcased their formidable prowess in the PBA 3×3 First Conference Season 3 as they clinched their second consecutive title by overwhelming Pioneer Elastoseal with a decisive score of 22-10. The triumph was sealed during Tuesday’s Leg 5 championship held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Former 3×3 national players Jorey Napoles and Kenneth Ighalo were instrumental in propelling the Braves to victory, each contributing seven points. Right from the initial tip-off, Cavitex established control and swiftly raced to a commanding 10-2 lead, a position they maintained throughout the 10-minute final.

The dynamic duo of Napoles and Ighalo exhibited remarkable synergy and precision, firmly solidifying Cavitex’s claim to their second consecutive leg championship. Dominick Fajardo and Bong Galanza added to the Braves’ tally with four points each. Under coach Kyles Lao’s guidance, the team proudly walked away with the prestigious Leg 5 title and the accompanying P100,000 prize money.

Cavitex’s path to victory was not without its challenges. In the semifinals, they endured a fierce battle against two-time leg champion Barangay Ginebra, edging out their opponents with a nail-biting score of 20-19. However, the championship showdown against the upset-minded Pioneer Elastoseal saw Cavitex in complete control, showcasing their impeccable skills and strategic gameplay.

Pioneer Elastoseal, who secured their place in the finals with an 18-13 win over Northport in the semifinals, faced an uphill battle against the dominant Cavitex lineup. Gian Morido exhibited commendable effort for Elastoseal, finishing with eight points, but his solo performance was insufficient to counter the collective force of Cavitex. Gian Abrigo, a last-minute entry replacing Enrique Caunan, contributed a single point.

Despite their valiant efforts, Pioneer settled for a runner-up finish, claiming the second spot in this conference and taking home a prize of P50,000.

In the battle for third place, Barangay Ginebra reasserted their prowess by defeating Northport with a score of 21-18, securing a spot on the podium and a P30,000 cash prize. Donald Gumaru was pivotal in leading the Kings to victory, contributing an impressive 13 points.

The quarterfinals saw intense matchups, with Northport emerging victorious over Purefoods with a score of 17-14. Cavitex showcased their resilience and skill by outgunning Meralco, clinching a victory with a score of 16-14. Pioneer narrowly triumphed over Blackwater, securing a place in the semifinals with a score of 14-12. In a close contest, Ginebra managed to edge past TNT, sealing their spot in the semifinals with a score of 17-15.

Cavitex’s impressive back-to-back championship victories underscore their dominance in the PBA 3×3 First Conference Season 3, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court.

The scores

Third place

Ginebra (21) – Gumaru 13, Salcedo 4, Cu 2, Ubalde 2.

Northport (18) – Capacio 6, Bulawan 6, Bauzon 4, Zamora 2.

Finals

Cavitex (22) – Napoles 7, Ighalo 7, Fajardo 4, Galanza 4.

Pioneer (10) – Morido 8, Abrigo 1, Mocon 1, Villamor 0.