BARANGAY Ginebra repelled a late charge by Meralco for a 76-72 decision Thursday to capture the 2023 Batang PBA 12-Under Division championship at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Led by Simon Jacob Jazul, the Batang Gin Kings pulled away early but had to survive a searing rally by the Batang Bolts in the closing minutes to win the knockout finale.
Purefoods battled back from a 23-point deficit and went on to beat Blackwater Red President, 91-87, in the other knockout finale to rule the 14-Under division.
Carl Anthony Songco fired 16 points, Lawrence Rameses Luna had 10 while Neil Ysach Garcia and Ryle Santino Gimaranga turned in nine each for Blackwater.
The son of Phoenix veteran guard RJ Jazul finished with a game-high 21 points for Ginebra which wrapped up its campaign with a prefect 6-0 record.
Sponsored content: Zion Carlo Aguilar contributed 18 points, Jeff Dominic Juangco had 11, Elvin McCoy Pascual chipped in nine and Richmond Marcus Gonzales added eight points for the Batang Gin Kings, who raced to an early 27-10 advantage.
"Maraming salamat sa buong team at sa lahat ng teammates namin. Maraming salamat sa parents namin sa walang sawang pag-cheer at sa Batang PBA for the opportunity to play here," said Jazul, who scored his team's first 10 points.
Ginebra held a 67-51 advantage but suddenly lost their rhythm paving the way for Meralco to get back into the game. A 17-3 blast capped by Rye Teodor Villaruz's put back pulled the Batang Bolts within 68-70 with two minutes left.
But Jazul and Aguilar saved the day for Ginebra. the duo teamed up to complete a 6-2 run and the Batang Gin Kings safely kept the lead until the buzzer sounded.
Lorenzo Miguel Purugganan and John Dave Mindanao tallied 10 points apiece for Meralco.
Sponsored content: Ziv Gabriel Espinas, son of former PBA journeyman Gabby, scattered a game-high 27 points including seven in OT as the Batang TJ Titans erased an early 21-44 deficit.
"Sobrang saya na champion kami. Noong nag-number 2 lang kami sa elims, 'yun ang ginawa naming motivation para mas maging malakas sa natitira naming mga laro," narrated Espinas.
Aiori Jared Aquino tallied 15 points while Patrick Laurence Pasinos and Zane Xavier Kallos had 11points apiece and Jose Enrico Santos added 10 for Purefoods, which outscored Blackwater Red President, 14-9 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Meanwhile, Tyler Hope Templo of Blackwater Red President's 12-Under team was feted with the Sportsmanship Award due to a commendable and exemplary conduct during the entire 20-team tournament. (JBU)
The Scores:
First Game 12-Under
Ginebra 76 - Jazul 21, Aguilar 18, Juangco 11, Pascual 9, Gonzales 8, San Miguel 4, Javier 3, Paras 2, Evangelista 0, Galang 0, Hwang 0, Banate 0, Gan 0, Ngo 0, Norwood 0.
Meralco 72 - Villaruz 16, L. Purugganan 10, Mindanao 10, I. Purugganan 9, Poquiz 9, Delos Reyes 6, Ylen 4, Mercado 3, Albino 2, Francisco 2, Pazcoquin 1, Stehmeier 0, Torroba 0, Rivera 0.
Quarterscores: 27-10, 42-25, 58-43, 76-72.
Second Game 14-Under
Purefoods 91 - Espinas 27, Aquino 15, Pasinos 11, Kallos 11, Santos 10, Martin 8, Cagurungan 5, Favis 2, Molina 2, Lopez 0, Tagudin 0, Reyes 0, Coronel 0, Paras 0, Pineda 0.
Red President 87 - Songco 16, Luna 10, Garcia 9, Gimarangan 9, Knowles 8, Caba?ero 8, Se?o 8, Lumague 5, Roxas 4, Bathan 3, Ferriols 3, Sarmiento 2, Sanchez 2, Villar 0.
Quarterscores:22-15, 47-40, 65-58, 74-74, 91-87 (OT).
