TnT-QC gains semis

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Batang Talk N’ Text-Quezon City defeated Powerade Batang Bacolod, 97-75, yesterday and secured its place in the cross-over semifinals of the Powerade Batang PBA Pilipinas Championship at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Jolo Mendoza, a 12-year old student from Ateneo de Manila, led all scorers with 46 points. He accounted for all of his team’s 30 points in the opening quarter as the Batang Texters surged to an 18-point advantage then coasted the rest of the way.

It was their second straight victory in Group B and seventh overall including a five-game sweep en route to a three-peat of the Batang PBA Summer League championship last week.

Batang TnT-QC goes for a sweep of its group assignment when it faces Powerade Batang Davao in their scheduled 1 p.m. match today at the close of the classification round at the old San Juan Gym.

B-Meg Derby Ace-Caloocan and Powerade Batang Cebu also posted their second straight wins and clinched the two semifinal berths up for grabs in the Group B.

Aljun Melecio turned in 22 points and Patrick Cagara added 14 for the Batang Llamados who dumped Powerade Batang Batangas, 71-32, while Mark Berame tallied 29 markers to show the way for Powerade Batang Cebu which defeated Powerade Batang Zamboanga, 47-36.