February 20 ------ MERALCO was there again to deny TNT. But this time on a wider and larger scale. The Bolts stopped the Tropang Giga from scoring a second straight grand slam after a 21-17 win in the Third Conference grand finals at the Ayala Malls Glorietta.
Joseph Sedurifa finished with eight points to lead Meralco, which got an unlikely scoring output from JJ Manlangit who had seven. The two instigated a strong finishing kick by the Bolts after the Triple Giga tied the game for the last time at 15-15. Sedurifa scored on a layup and Manlangit hit three straight points including a deuce as Meralco took control for good, 19-17.
Grand champion
The win was worth P750,000 for the team of coach Patrick Fran after winning a grand finale for the first time in franchise history. Alfred Batino added five points and the high-scoring Jeff Manday was held to a solitary point on 1-of-7 shooting for Meralco. The Bolts twice denied the Triple Giga a leg title in the conference before scoring their biggest win yet against the telecommunication franchise.
Almond Vosotros had five points for TNT, which took home the runner-up purse of P250,000. In the battle for third, Cavitex beat Blackwater, 22-19, for the P100,000 prize money.
The scores:
Third place
Cavitex (22) – Napoles 11, Doliguez 6,Ighalo 3, Galanza 2.
Blackwater (19) – Comboy 7, Bayla 5, Publico 4, Deles 3.
Finals
Meralco (21) – Sedurifa 8, Manlangit 7, Batino 5, Manday 1.
TNT (17) – Vosotros 5, Eximiniano 4, Mendoza 4, Saldua 4.
Source: spin.ph
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