PBA 3×3: Cavitex dominates Pioneer for back-to-back leg titles

August 2, 2023 Times Europe

Cavitex Braves’ Jorey Napoles in the PBA 3×3 Leg 5 Grand finals. –PBA IMAGES

Cavitex made it back-to-back in the PBA 3×3 first conference season 3 as it made short work of Pioneer Elastoseal, 22-10, to claim the Leg 5 title Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Former 3×3 national player Jorey Napoles and Kenneth Ighalo had seven points each for the Braves, who were in control right from the opening tip of the 10-minute final against Pioneer.

With Napoles and Ighalo at the firing end, Cavitex raced to a 10-2 lead and never looked back on its way to claiming a second straight leg championship.

Dominick Fajardo and Bong Galanza each had four points for the Braves coached by Kyles Lao, who won the P100,000 prize money.

Cavitex Braves celebrate PBA 3×3 Leg 5 title. –PBA IMAGES

Cavitex earlier went through the wringer and survived two-time leg champion Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, 20-19.

It was the second runner-up finish for Pioneer this conference to take home P50,000.

Gian Morido tried to carry the Elastoseal by his lonesome after finishing with a team-high eight points as last-minute entry Gian Abrigo, who replaced Enrique Caunan heading to the knockout stage, was held to just a solitary point.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra made it back to the podium as it nipped Northport, 21-18, to take third place and the P30,000 cash prize.

Donald Gumaru exploded for 13 big points in leading the Kings, who were champions of Legs 1 and 2.

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.