Nieto brothers shine in Batang PBA opener

MANILA, Philippines – Twin brothers Matthew and Michael Nieto combined for 48 points as defending champion Batang Talk N’ Text-Quezon City opened its title repeat drive with a 105-55 blowout of Batang Burger King-Caloocan City yesterday at the start of the 2009 Coca-Cola Batang PBA Summer League at the Araneta Coliseum.

Matthew led all scorers with 26 points while Michael poured in 20 points in the second quarter and finished with 22, the same output turned in by the 5-foot-10 Dale Aldrich Dy, who dominated the paint with his size.

The Batang Tropang Texters opened a 25-9 lead after one quarter and virtually sealed the win by extending the margin to 34 points (56-22) at halftime. The Nieto twins accounted for 39 of their team’s first half output.

In the other game, Aldrich Tan scored 18 points and Tyler Tio and Antonio Puyat added 15 apiece as Batang Rain or Shine-San Juan clobbered Batang Sta. Lucia Realty-Cainta, 108-33.