Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 6) – The San Miguel Beermen bagged their first PBA 3×3 leg title after beating Barangay Ginebra, 21-15, in the second leg finals of the second conference on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jeff Manday, who has been the Beermen’s top scorer since the first conference, delivered offensively in the most important match with 13 points to win the crown for his squad.
Manday, a product of the Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias in Negros Occidental, drained most of the long-range shots and inside baskets for San Miguel as he recovered from his low offensive game during the pool play. He only averaged 4.8 points per game in the pool play and improved to 11.7 markers per outing in the knockout stage.
The Beermen had a tough route in their first PBA 3×3 finals appearance after finishing third in Pool A with a 2-2 record.
Manday, a sixth round pick in the 2021 PBA Draft, started to assert his will in the court in the quarterfinals where he scored 14 points in their 21-17 win over Pool B runner-up Platinum Karaoke.
The Negrense cager again led San Miguel with 10 markers in their close 21-19 semifinals win against erstwhile unbeaten Pioneer Pro Tibay to clinch the finals ticket.
The other players of the victorious 3×3 squad are Bacon Austria, Ken Bono and Moncrief Rogado.
On the other hand, the Gin Kings were also in their first PBA 3×3 finals trip after finishing second in Pool C with a 2-1 slate.
In the playoffs, Ginebra beat the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals and came from behind to outlast the Limitless Appmasters in an exciting semifinals battle.
Limitless took the third place honors after edging Pioneer Pro Tibay, 21-13, in their face-off.
