UNDEFEATED Talk 'N Text and PBA Greats hacked out contrasting victories against separate foes to advance in the Finals of the 2024 Batang PBA-Centrum Kids 11-under tournament on Friday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Batang Tropang Giga scored a wire-to-wire victory against NLEX, 60-41, while the PBA Greats stunned previously unbeaten PBA Stalwarts, 58-56, in the knockout semifinals.
Markie Obag led the way with eight points and 12 other players racked up the scoring board for TNT, which extended its winning streak to five games.
On the other hand, Zigrid Kian Hernandez poured 22 points for the Group B second-seed PBA Greats, who eliminated the PBA Stalwarts, who swept Group A with a 4-0 record.
Karim Abdul backstopped Hernandez with 15 points as the PBA Greats earned a shot to challenge TNT in the knockout finale on Monday at the same venue.
Sponsored content: In the four-team 9-under division, unbeaten Barangay Ginebra and previously winless Blackwater forged an unlikely finale duel after big semis against separate opponents.
Jariel Centeno fired 21 points to lead Ginebra's 48-38 win against Magnolia as Luke Maninang scored 13 points in Blackwater's 47-39 upset of Converge.
The 9-under finale will also be played on Monday along with four games in the 15-under that just started on Thursday. (JBU)
The Scores:
First Game (11-UNDER)
Sponsored content: PBA Greats 58 - Hernandez 22, Abdul 15, Binondo 4, Recto 4, Tagal 4, Espiritu 2, Chua 2, Corral 2, Mortel 2, Castillo 1, Sacmar 0, Carpina 0, Galang 0, Cruz 0, San Diego 0.
PBA Stalwarts 56 - Castro 11, Oriel 9, Cruz 9, Pose 7, De Leon 6, Estabillo 4, Ochoa 4, Viray 4, Roa 2, Arriola 0, Acta 0, Sanchez 0, Lemos 0, Ilaga 0.
Quarterscores: 15-10, 33-17, 39-39, 58-56.
Second Game (11-UNDER)
Talk 'N Text 60 - Obag 8, Romey 6, Ramos L. 6, Jardin 6, Cruz Thi. 6, Posadas 6, Ramos C. 4, Cruz The. 4, Rubaya 4, Isagon 3, Yang 3, Sudario 2, Santos 2, Lazaro 0, Tolentino 0.
NLEX 41 - Yaya 10, Pasco 9, Manahan 6, Perez 6, Edades 3, Carlos 3, David 2, Julian 1, Yba?ez 1, Sardea 0, Tabladillo 0, Villaruz 0, Prado 0, Ibuyan 0, Etorma 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 27-22, 48-30, 61-40.
Third Game (9-UNDER)
Blackwater 47 - Maninang 13, Santiago 8, Abuy 6, Caalim 6, Maximo 5, David 4, Conde 2, Fabros 2, Caberte 1, Formacil 0, Gatchalian 0, Quiambao 0.
Converge 39 - Casta?eda 15, Nonato 9, Pascua 6, Vicente 2, Saplala 2, Alas 2, Dulay 2, Merchan 1, Olmos 0, Llanera 0, Ferrer 0, De Guzman 0, Yangco 0 Bernardo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-4, 23-13, 37-20, 47-39.
Fourth Game (9-UNDER)
Ginebra 48 - Centeno 21, Dapatnapo 8, Rosuello 7, Topacio 5, Mesina 3, Fernandez 2, Lazaro 2, Aguilar 0, Calazan 0, Rubio 0, Aguilar 0, Gruta 0, Navarro 0.
Magnolia 38 - Martinez 14, Pesa 8, Serafica 6, Morre 4, Pabilonia 2, Miciano 2, Nubla 2, Khobuntin 0, Balios 0, Bo 0, Mendoza 0, Fajardo 0, Estrella 0, Basinilio 0, Preconcillo 0.
Quarterscores: 6-12, 12-26, 32-26, 48-38.
