Master Sardines given rude welcome to PBA 3x3 with loss to Sista

Jan Jamon led the way for Sista against debuting Master Sardines. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Sista showed Master Sardines the PBA way of life the hard manner, hacking out a 20-19 win in Day 1 of the PBA 3x3 Second Conference on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Master, which is reportedly among the companies looking to buy the Alaska franchise in the 5-on-5 play, fizzled out just as time was winding down as back-to-back baskets won it for Sista.

Master lost an early lead and was trailing, 11-15, with 2:53 to play, but Master recovered and forced an 18-all tie after a jumper from Mon Mabayo with 1:24 remaining.

Ken Mocon put Sista back on top with a layup, while Leo De Vera put some cushion for the team with his own drive and basket for a 20-18 scoreline with 58 seconds left.

Michole Sorela kept Master in the game after converting a layup in the next play, but the team could not buy a basket in the end.

Jan Jamon led Sista with eight points, while De Vera added six.

Mocon and Joseph Manlangit each contributed three markers.

Levi Hernandez also had eight points to lead Master, while Mabayo had five, Sorela made three, and Cyrus Tabi also got three markers.

In the first game of the new tournament, Ginebra stunned Platinum Karaoke with a 15-14 win.

Jollo Go, Encho Serrano, and Jayson David each scored five points for Ginebra.

JR Alabanza, meanwhile made six points, while Ryan Monteclaro put up five, Matt Salem had two, and Yutien Andrada added one for Platinum.

In another tight battle, TNT survived Ken Bono's impressive 3x3 debut and pipped San Miguel, 20-19.

TNT's balanced scoring, which saw Samboy De Leon putting up seven points, including the winning basket to break a 19-all tie with 33 seconds left, and Almond Vosotros and Lervin Flores each adding six, was enough to overcome Bono's 14-point outburst for SMB.

NorthPort then defeated an undermanned Purefoods squad, 20-16.

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