Pioneer, Meralco, Limitless App go perfect

MANILA, Philippines — Pioneer Pro Tibay got its redemption bid in the PBA 3x3 Second Conference off to a rousing start as it swept its way to the quarterfinals of the second leg yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Determined to make up for its sorry 0-3 showing in the first leg, Pioneer roared to triumphs over Sista Super Sealers, 19-14, Master Sardines, 21-15, TNT, 21-13, and San Miguel Beer, 21-17, to go perfect in the eliminations and take the top seeding in Pool A heading to today’s knockout stages.

Main highlight of the sizzling opening for Pioneer’s crew of reactivated players Carlo de Chavez and Christian Rivera and Leg 1 holdovers  Gian Abrigo and Robin Rono was the emphatic win over first leg ruler TNT.

Pioneer made the Tropang Giga play catch up throughout, racing to an initial 7-1 lead before extending it to 16-8. Rono torched TNT with nine points on a 4-of-5 clip from two-point territory.

The Tropang Giga ran second in the group with 2-1, pulling off their victories over SMB, 21-20, and Sista 21-17.

Meanwhile, Leg 1 runner-up Meralco and First Conference titlist Limitless App flexed their muscles and went 2-0 in the other groups.

The Bolts disposed of Terrafirma, 18-10, then followed it up with a 21-16 drubbing of Platinum Karaoke to show the way in Pool B. For their part, the Appmasters flashed their dominant form in Pool C, beating Barangay Ginebra, 20-17, and Cavitex, 21-15.