Team Batangas followed the same formula that Tanduay did in the first game, zooming past the Zark’s Jawbreakers to gain a 124-84 rout, Tuesday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Cedrick Ablaza unfurled 14 of his 16 points in the Batangueños’ 39-point third quarter windup, while also corralling seven rebounds to keep his side at second place with their 4-1 card.
“Siyempre, chinallenge ko lang naman ang mga players. Nakita nila na hindi tama ang ginagawa namin at hindi rin tama na 52 points ang iniiskor ng kalaban,” said coach Eric Gonzales. “Manalo, matalo, ang mahalaga sa akin, gawin natin ang tama.”
With the Batangueños trailing, 41-26, in the first half, Ablaza triggered the huge third quarter run as the rest of his teammates followed suit, opening up a dominant 81-67 lead at the end of the period.
Joseph Sedurifa contributed 16 markers, 15 boards, and seven assists for Batangas, while Earvin Mendoza got 16 points and four rebounds.
Wilmar Anderson had 14 markers and eight boards, Cedric de Joya tallied 13 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, and Lucky Mangabang had 13.
Robby Celiz anchored Zark’s Burgers (1-5) with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while RR de Leon fired 14 markers and six boards in the losing effort.
Team Batangas will have a nine-day break before taking on the Cignal HD Hawkeyes on Thursday, July 6, at 3:00pn. Zark’s, on the other hand, faces the surging Wangs Basketball Couriers on Monday, July 3, at 3:00pm.
The Scores:
Batangas (124) – Ablaza 16, Mendoza 16, Sedurifa 16, Anderson 14, De Joya 13, Mangabang 13, Laude 8, Ragasa 8, Bautista 7, Saitanan 5, Dela Pena 4, Mag-isa 2, Napoles 2.
Zark’s Burgers (84) – Celiz 21, De Leon 14, Mangahas 12, Bautista 8, Ferrer 8, Sheriff 6, Cayabyab 4, Nalos 4, Argamino 3, Cariaga 3, Cudal 1, Juruena 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 42-52, 81-67, 124-84.
