MANILA, Philippines - Batang Talk N’ Text-Quezon City and Batang B-Meg Derby Ace-Caloocan swept their respective groups yesterday and appeared headed for another title rematch in the 2010 Powerade Batang PBA Pilipinas Championship.
Aljun Melecio poured 16 of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter and Batang Derby Ace-Caloocan cruised to a 77-51 victory against Powerade Batang Cebu in a game of unbeaten teams for its third win in Group B.
Up by seven at halftime, the Batang Llamados ripped the game in the third quarter as Junel Nacpil scored 12 of his 16 points in the third that propelled Derby Ace-Caloocan to a 63-32 advantage entering the fourth.
The defending champion Texters of coach Mark Herrera were also unchallenged in their 79-37 romp of Powerade Batang Davao in Group A.
John Vincent Gallego was the man of the hour for TnT-QC. He turned in 31 points including 26 in the second quarter as the Batang Texters stretched a 16-13 first quarter lead to 46-19.
As Group B topnotcher Batang Derby Derby Ace-Caloocan will face Powerade Batang Bacolod, the no. 2 team in Group A, in the crossover semifinals at 1:30 p.m. today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Powerade Batang Bacolod (2-1) wond up its elimination round round assignment with a 68-35 victory over Powerade Batang Baguio.
Batang TnT-QC, which has won eight consecutive games overall, including a five-game sweep in the Batang PBA Summer League, will go up against Powerade Batang Cebu in the other semifinal set at 12 p.m.
The Batang Texters defeated the Batang Llamados in the finals of the Batang PBA Summer League for its third straight title.
In the classification match, Powerade Batang Zamboanga defeated Powerade Batang Batangas, 50-19, to finish with a 1-2 record.
Powerade Batang Baguio and Powerade Batang Batangas finished their campaigns with an 0-and-3 record.