Meralco shocks TNT to capture breakthrough PBA 3×3 Grand Finals title

Meralco exacted sweet revenge against the TNT Triple Giga as the Bolts hacked out a 21-17 victory to rule the PBA 3×3 Third Conference Grand Finals on Monday at Ayala Malls Glorietta.

The Bolts, who fell to the multi-titled Triple Giga in the previous conference’s Grand Finals showdown, captured their first-ever title and capped off an impressive conference that saw them win three of the six legs.

Joseph Sedurifa came up big for the Bolts, sinking back-to-back baskets that sealed the deal for the squad. He finished with eight points while JJ Manlangit and Joseph Batino chipped in seven and five.

Meralco ended TNT’s long reign in the three-a-side tournament. From the third conference of the inaugural season in 2021 until the second conference of the recently-concluded third season, the Triple Giga had been at the top, winning six straight Grand Finals titles.

For Sedurifa, they could chalk the victory up to simply destiny.

“Si Lord ang may gawa nito, hindi kami. Blackwater (semis game) pa lang, down kami ng three. Destiny siguro ito sa amin para manalo,” said Sedurifa.

[This was thanks to the Lord, not us. From the Blackwater game, where we were down three, it must be destiny for us to win.]

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News