Platinum Karaoke finally broke through as they captured the championship in the fourth leg of the PBA 3x3 Second Conference Season 2 on Sunday at the Robinsons Place in Malabon.
The team of coach Anton Altamirano prevailed in the standalone tournament, beating a tough Cavitex Braves side in a low-scoring final, 13-12, to claim the P100,000 prize money. Platinum Karaoke previously made the leg finals twice, but always ended up as a bridesmaid.
There was no denying the team this time around as Terrence Tumalip hit a clutch deuce that made it a 13-10 Platinum lead with 52 seconds left, while big man Brandon Bates blocked a potential game-winning two by Jorey Napoles at the buzzer to preserve the hard-earned win.
Tumalip finished with six points, Bates had four, Nico Salva added three, while Yutien Andrada, the only player who remained from the original Platinum Karaoke team, had five rebounds and two block shots.
“So proud of this team. It’s been a long time coming,” said Altamirano, who finally got his victory ride shortly after the game.
Cavitex bagged P50,000 after a second straight runner-up finish.
Napoles led the Braves with six points and six rebounds, including a long two that put the Braves within a point, 13-12, in the final 44 seconds.
Cavitex even had the chance to salvage the win, but Bates was there to save the day for Platinum by foiling Napoles’ final attempt.