MANILA, Philippines - Two-time defending champion Batang Talk N’ Text-Quezon City will be making its third consecutive finals appearance in the Coca-Cola Batang PBA Summer League following a 96-70 romp over Batang Rain or Shine-San Juan Friday at the Ynarez Center in Antipolo.
The Batang Texters of Under-13 national coach Mark Herrera picked up the pace early with 5-foot-4 Jolo Mendoza scoring all his team’s 37 points in the opening quarter.
He eventually finished with 41 points while John Vincent Gallego added 20 as Quezon City stayed on course for a three-peat.
Tylor Tio had 26 points and Mitchelle Ong 16 for the Batang Rain or Shine.
As it is, only the Batang B-Meg Derby Ace-Caloocan stands between the Batang Texters and their third championship overall in this annual tournament for kids aged 9-12 years old.
The Finals is scheduled Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang LLamados weathered a fourth quarter charge by the Batang Coca-Cola-Marikina to escape with an 84-83 decision.
The scores:
First Game
B-Meg Derby Ace-Caloocan 84 – Melecio 31, Cagara 19, Nacpil 15, Dela Cruz 11, Rivera 4, Amoyo 2, Badillo 2, Narvasa 0, Reyes 0, Lopez 0, Garcoa 0, Tanedo 0, Buenaflor 0, Mantano 0, Abino 0.
Coca-Cola-Marikina 83 – Salinas 47, Osma 12,Nano 8,Santos 6, Reyes 4, Castillo 2,Chan 2, Santos Jo. 1, Tabuena 1, Jaymalin 0, Manulat 0, Tedbengco 0, Gayda 0, Cruz 0, Credo 0.
Quarters: 28-27; 53-39; 70-58; 84-83
Second Game
Talk N’ Text-Quezon City 96 – Mendoza 41, Gallego 20, Yu 19, Sto. Domingo 6, Mamuyac 5, Dumlao 3, Andres 2, Fetalvero 0, Bautista 0, Acot 0, Adalem 0, Carino 0, Herrera 0, Daez 0, Baquial 0.
Rain or Shine-San Juan 70 – Tio 26, Ong 16, Lagumen 10, Lee 8, Hemandas 6, Manuel 4, Alfao 0, Yeung 0, Alandy-Dy S. 0, Cu 0, Alandy Dy 0, Flores 0, So 0, Te 0.