Braves capture 2nd straight PBA 3x3 crown

CAVITEX made it back-to-back in the PBA 3x3

First Conference Season 3 as it made short work of Pioneer Elastoseal, 22-10, to claim the Leg 5 title Tuesday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Former 3x3 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.

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 of coach Kyles Lao, who won the P100,000 prize money.

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

But they were never really in trouble in the title game against the upset-conscious Elastoseal, who arranged the showdown with Cavitex following an 18-13 win over Northport in the semis.

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 champion of Legs 1 and 2.

During the quarterfinals, Northport downed Purefoods, 17-14, Cavitex outgunned Meralco, 1614, Pioneer nosed out Blackwater, 14-12, and Ginebra got even against TNT, 17-15.

The scores

Third place

Ginebra (21) – Gumaru 13, Salcedo 4, Cu 2, Ubalde 2. Northport (18) – Capacio 6, Bulawan 6, Bauzon 4, Zamora 2.

The April 21, 2024 event, now billed as the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu, will also serve as part of The IRONMAN Group’s 2023-2024 Season Pass and Flex 90 offerings, giving the athletes opportunities to participate in multiple IRONMAN and 70.3 races across Oceania and Asia to save on every entry.

The Flex90 gives registrants the capacity to change race dates without the penalties of withdrawals.

“Lapu-Lapu has been an integral part of the IRONMAN 70.3 in Cebu which has attracted participants from around the world the last 10 years,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Quirante Chan. “This time, we are very happy to host the event and showcase Lapu-Lapu’s beautiful locations and adventures that can only be experienced on our shores.”

Registration opened Aug. 1, 2023. For details, log on to ironman.com/im703cebu-philippines-register.

Billed as the Crown Jewel of Asia, IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu has grown in prestige over the years. In previous editions, slots for the race have been sold out within minutes of its opening as a testament to its evergrowing popularity and the remarkable experience and atmosphere it provides the participants.

“This race has grown immensely over the last decade. Last year, we had close to 2,000 participants, which is a very high attendance rate for an event here in the Philippines, while still in soft lockdown. This year, we look forward to staging a full comeback to the festivities. The women’s field is growing, and we are looking forward to more participation from them (women),” said Princess Galura, Regional Director of the IRONMAN Group Philippines.