Batangas-Tanduay leaned on Philip Paniamogan’s explosive fourth-quarter performance to edge out Davao, 89-86, on Thursday, securing a spot in the South Division semifinals of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Sixth Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan.
Paniamogan scored all nine of his points during that crucial stretch, sinking two three-pointers and a key off-balanced bank shot that halted the Davao Occidental Tigers’ late rally, 87-84. His efforts pushed the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters to their sixth consecutive semifinal appearance in the two-division, 29-team tournament.
The Rum Masters also dominated Game One, winning 79-66, to close out the best-of-three series in convincing fashion.
Batangas now awaits the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between South Cotabato and Binan for their next challenge.
Levi Hernandez spearheaded the Batangas offense with 20 points, including four triples, earning him the Daily Fantasy Best Player award over Cedric Ablaza, who contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals for Coach Cholo Villanueva’s squad.
Other key contributors for Batangas included Jong Baloria, who chipped in 13 points and 3 rebounds, Jeckster Apinan with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, and Kris Porter, who added 10 points and 5 rebounds.
The game remained close throughout, with neither team building a double-digit lead. However, the Rum Masters controlled the game for 26 minutes and 59 seconds, while the Tigers only held the advantage for 8 minutes and 41 seconds.
On the Davao side, Terrence Tumalip finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, Mac Tallo added 11 points and 5 assists, Art Dela Cruz filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals, and Bonbon Custodio contributed 10 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.
The MPBL playoffs continue on Monday, with Zamboanga Master Sardines and Paranaque battling for the other South Division semifinal spot at 7 p.m. in Zamboanga City.
