NLEX essayed a stunning come-from-behind win against Purefoods, 66-63, and stayed unscathed in the 2023 Batang PBA on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Jared Gabriel Ferreros and Lino Tubongbanua Jr. tallied 15 points apiece as the Batang Road Warriors erased a 13-point deficit in the first half and improved to 2-0 in Group A of the 14-Under Division.
Marivic Ryence Mesina added 12 points for NLEX, which trailed, 26-39, at the half before unleashing a second-half avalanche.
Purefoods dropped to 1-1 despite the 23 points of Ziv Gabriel Espinas.
In the other 14-Under plays, Northport (1-1) posted its first win at expense of winless Terrafirma (0-2), 73-50, in Group A while Sista pulled away for a 86-77 win over Phoenix in Group C.
Sponsored content: Yurich Rufino scored 12 points and while Lord Dy Rey Gabriel (9), Rogie Cadeli?a (8), Khyle Henrich Sy (8) and Vanz Enrique Cruz (7) provided support for NorthPort.
Earlier, Earl Samuel Getalado exploded for 35 points - the highest score by a player in the Batang PBA - and Zaqueo Dalaten added 11 as Sista dominated the batang Fuel Masters.
Sista improved to 1-1 in Group C of the 14-Under play while Phoenix absorbed its second loss in as many matches. (JBU)
The Scores:
First Game 14-Under Group A
Northport 73 - Rufino 13, Gabriel 9, Cadeli?a 8, Sy 8, Cruz 7, Laquindanum 5, Pahanonot 4, Perucho 4, Serapio 4, Frivaldo 3, Pasolohan 2, Timbas 2, Dela Cruz 2, De Guzman 2, Samaniego 0.
Sponsored content: Terrafirma 50 - Sanchez 18, Eroles 11, Reyes 8, Llamas 4, Tajonera 3, Deciderio 2, Diwa 2, Mendoza 2, Gavino 0, A. Salvador 0, K. Salvador, Artadi 0, Lim 0, Damina 0, Lazaro 0.
Quarterscores: 20-10, 29-24-, 60-31, 73-50.
Second Game 14-Under Group C
Sista 86 - Getalado 35, Dalaten 11, Cuenca 8, Sorongon 8, Scott 8, Serrano 6, Maramot 6, Agoy-Agoy 4, Saquitan 0, Abuso 0, Cama?ag 0, Avellano 0, De Mesa 0.
Phoenix 77 - Raymundo 19, Cordon 16, Buensalido 13, Cariaso 7, Angustia 6, Galano-Tan 6, Timbol 4, Piastro 2, Placido 2, Nido 2, Hondante 0, Pios 0.
Quarterscores: 25-13, 45-29, 67-44, 86-77.
Third Game 14-Under Group A
NLEX 66 - Fererros 15, Tubongbanua 15, Mesina 12, Hallare 8, Manthe 4, Tan-Chi 3, Garcia 3, Labicane 2, Ladaban 2, Regoso 2, Misa 0, Lazaro 0, Santos 0, Balgos 0, Faraon 0.
Purefoods 63 - Espinas 23, Pasinos 8, Martin 6, Santos 4, Cagurungan 4, Pineda 4, Molina 3, Aquino 2, Kallos 2, Paras 2, Reyes 1, Favis 0, Loepz 0, Tagudin 0.
Quartescores: 15-22, 36-39, 46-46, 66-63.
