MAGNOLIA romped past NLEX, 62-54, to claim the second semifinal berth in the 2023 Batang PBA 11-Under Division Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Martheus Kade Oriel and Xian Raphael Latay scored 14 points each as the Batang Hotshots (2-0) completed a sweep of Group B after previously drubbing Meralco, 70-42.
Cedric Ebron added 11 points for Magnolia, which outscored NLEX, 42-18, in the middle quarters for a commanding 51-31 lead entering the fourth.
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Earlier, Alphonse Ryan Sanchez erupted for 28 points as Talk 'N Text rallied to beat Terrafirma, 65-57, in Group D.
Rajko Manicad chipped in 13 points, including a couple of key defensive plays in the final minute as the Batang Tropang Giga closed out the Dyip with a 6-0 run from a close 59-57 count.
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TNT trailed, 6-22 , after the first but slowly climbed the ladder and went on to even its record to 1-1 to end its campaign on a high note. TNT absorbed a 63-42 loss against San Miguel Beer in the opener.
San Miguel clinched the first semis spot after topping Group D with a 2-0 sweep.
Only two spots are up for grabs in the last elimination playdate on Wednesday featuring the crucial duels between Ginebra (1-0) against Blackwater (1-0) in Group A and Rain or Shine (1-0) verus Northport (0-1) in Group C.
Phoenix (1-1) is also on the lookout in Group C for a possible three-way tie as only the top team from each group will advance to the knockout semis. (JBU)
The Scores:
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First Game
TNT 65 - Sanchez 28, Manicad 13, Sandico 10, Miranda 6, Riguera 3, Zaraspe 3, Conde 2, Wilson 0, Lascota 0, Mandapat 0, Tabu 0.
Terrafirma 57 - Comia 22, Andres 14, Lualhati 10, Bugna 2, Labao 2, Abellon 2, Quiambao 2, Salinas 2, Serafica 1, Santos 0, Fari?as 0, Manuel 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarterscores: 6-22, 25-36, 43-39, 65-57.
Second Game
Magnolia 62 - Oriel 14, Latay 14, Ebron 11, Saplala I. 7, Torio 4, Wilson 4, Subido 2, Manalo 2, Rubio 2, Castillo 2, Fontanilla 0, Saplala F. 0, Saplala M. 0, Barangas 0, Butra 0.
NLEX 54 - Escoto 17, Castro 11, Collier K. 8, Carlos 4, Maninang 4, Collier A. 4, Pasion 3, Cruz 2, De Castro 1, Bariacto S. 0, Bariacto J. 0, Valencia 0, Dolera 0, Gracilla 0, Pascua 0.
Quarterscores: 9-13, 29-20, 51-31, 62-54.
