Batangas City Embassy Chill posted a huge lead and proceeded to beat Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines, 80-71, on Saturday in Game 1 of their OKbet-MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 4th Season Presented by Xtreme South division crown at the Vitaliano Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.
The Batangas Athletics surged ahead, 68-46, and used it to cushion the impact of the Zamboanguenos’ final rally which took them to within 68-73.
Jekster Apinan, however, scored inside and Jong Baloria knocked in a dagger triple to take the fight out of the Zamboanguenos.
Baloria wound up with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks to earn best player honors. Cedric Ablaza contributed 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Rudy Lingganay, who hails from Zamboanga City, chipped in 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Zamboanga got 22 points and 6 rebounds from Jaycee Marcelino, 13 from Jhaps Bautista and 10 points plus 6 rebounds from Jhaymo Eguilos, who was a former key player for Batangas.
With the win, the Athletics need only to repeat over the Zamboanguenos on Tuesday at the Batangas City Coliseum to seal their best-of-three series.
Other contributors for Batangas Coach Cholo Villanueva were Vincent Importante with 8 points and Dawn Ochea and Mark Dela Virgen with 6 points each.
Meanwhile, the San Juan Knights shoot for the North division crown when they tangle with the Nueva Ecija Vanguards at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
