Meralco nips MCFASolver to cop elusive PBA 3x3 title

After more than a year, Meralco finally emerged on top again after it toppled guest team MCFASolver, 15-13, to rule Leg 1 of the PBA 3x3 Season 3 Third Conference on Tuesday at the Ayala Malls Glorietta.

The last time the Bolts' three-a-side squad bagged a leg title was during the third leg of Season 2 First Conference, when they beat J&T Express with a 19-14 triumph in September 2022.

Alfred Batino and Jeff Manday led the way for Meralco with five points each to fuel a 9-3 run that allowed them to break free from an early 4-5 deficit. Reymar Caduyac and Joseph Sedurifa accounted for the five other points of the Bolts, who grabbed the champion’s purse of P100,000.

Meralco finished second in the pool stage with a 2-1 card behind group leader MCFASolver, which was undefeated in three games. The Bolts then eked out a 21-16 victory against Ginebra in the quarterfinals before a 21-13 win against Purefoods TJ Titans sent them to the finals.

Cavitex, meanwhile, will take home the bronze medal after outlasting Purefoods in their battle for third, 21-18.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News