BATANGAS struck hard in the homestretch and subdued Zamboanga SiKat, 95-87, on Thursday to clinch the last semifinal slot in the MPBL 2025 Playoffs and Finals at the Batangas Province Events Center.
The count was tied at 85 with 2 minutes and 21 seconds left, when the Rum Masters clustered nine points, including four free throws by Levi Hernandez, to seal the outcome and complete their climb from a 15-29 hole dug by Michael Are's back-to-back triples and JP Cauilan's triple early in the second half.
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Hernandez bunched seven points and CJ Isit added a triple as Batangas threatened at 65-66 with 58 seconds to go in the third quarter.
It was a see-saw affair from there, until the Rum Masters found an extra gear in time to seal their quarterfinal series, 2-1, and arrange a best-of-three semifinal tussle with Binan Tatak Gel.
The Rum Masters won the series opener on October 16 at the Batangas City Coliseum, 70-61, but Zamboanga took the second game, 78-72, on October 23 at Ynares Center Montalban to force the sudden death
Hernandez posted 29 points, highlighted by 6 triples, and 4 rebounds, followed by Jong Baloria with 18 points, spiked by 3 triples, 5 assists 4 rebounds, and Cedrick Ablaza's 12 points, including 2 triples, and 5 assists.
Mark Cruz and Philip Paniamogan contributed 8 points each as Batangas kept its drive toward the title it won in the MPBL inaugural season in 2018.
After converting just 3 of 8 triple attempts in the first half, the Rum Masters turned hot and wound up with 13 of 25 for a high 56.5 percent.
Sinking 9 of 17 tries from afar, Zamboanga led at halftime, 44-36, behind Are's and Reggz Gabat's three triples and John Arthur Calisay's two triples.
Gabat finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, Are with 12, James Paul Una and Calisay with 10 each.
Quezon vs GenSan
The other South Division semifinal series pits reigning division champion Quezon Province against GenSan.
The North Division semifinal battles pit Abra against Caloocan and San Juan against Pangasinan.
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