Batang Ginebra and Batang Phoenix topped their semifinal foes Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena to arrange a winner-take-all match for the 2017 Batang PBA 15-Under championship.
The young Fuel Masters used a hot start and cruised to a 69-54 victory over Batang Blackwater Elite to punch the first ticket to the finals.
Arleen Jeffrey Lenon set the tone as he fired nine of his 25 points in Batang Phoenix’s killer 24-11 first quarter outburst. He once again unloaded nine markers in the payoff period to secure the win.
In the other semis pairing, the undefeated young Gin Kings came through with a strong third quarter surge to upend Batang San Miguel Beermen, 72-53.
Clarence Andrei Ramos scattered 16 points, but it was Ren Cobie Tolentino who caught fire in the third period, as he poured in 10 of his 14 markers in the frame.
Batang Ginebra caught its foe by surprise as it got its groove in the third quarter with 31 huge points to pull away for good.
Jhazel Aerol Paguiligan also chimed in 11 for Batang Ginebra.
Resty Damaso paced Batang San Miguel with 19 points, while Dustin Dumana dropped 10 in the losing effort.
