Batang TnT-QC, Rain or Shine win

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Batang Talk n Text-Quezon City and Batang Rain or Shine-San Juan bested separate rivals to virtually clinch berths in the semifinal round of the Coca-Cola Batang PBA Summer League at the Club 650 gym in Libis, QC.

Jolo Mendoza poured 27 of his 29 points in the first quarter as defending champion Batang Talk n Text-QC of coach Mark Herrera dumped Batang San Miguel-Muntinlupa, 93-31, in Group A while Tylor Tio also fired 29 points to power the Batang Rain or Shine-San Juan to a 75-47 rout over Batang Alaska-Antipolo in Group B.

The Batang Texters, seeking a third straight championship under Herrera in the seventh edition of the PBA summer treat kids aged 9-12 years old, raced to an early 32-8 lead and were never threatened to notch their third straight victory in Group A.

Mendoza scored all but five of his team’s output in the first quarter. 

John Vincent Gallego finished with 19 points and Anton Sto. Domingo added 10 for TnT-QC.

Gian Keith Abanilla scored eight points and Monzie del Prado and Joaqui Mariano added six points apiece for Muntinlupa, which fell to 1-2 (win-loss) record.

The Batang Elasto Painters also had an easy time against the Batang Aces (1-2) with Mitchelle Ong leading the charge with 20 points.

In the other Group B encounter, Batang Coca-Cola-Marikina, behind the 14 points of John Adoph Salinas, defeated Batang Barangay Ginebra-Cainta, 59-47, for its second straight victory. Cainta fell to 0-3.