Batangas City Overcomes Zamboanga to Reach MPBL South Division Semifinals
The Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters lived up to their billing as the No. 2 seed, mounting a furious second-half comeback to defeat the No. 7 seed Zamboanga SiKAT, 95–87, and clinch a South Division semifinal berth in the MPBL 2025 Playoffs.
Leading the way for Batangas in Game 3 win-or-go-home was Levi Hernandez, who erupted for 29 points, including six three-pointers, to go along with four rebounds and a steal. His hot shooting sparked Batangas’ comeback after falling behind by as many as 14 points in the first half.
With the victory, Batangas City advances to the South Division semifinals, where they will face Biñan Tatak Gel Beast Motorcycle Tires GameX in the next round.
Zamboanga’s Hot Start, Batangas’ Second-Half Rally
Zamboanga opened the game on fire, racing to a 23–15 lead after the first quarter behind Reggz Gabat’s and Michael Are’s outside shooting. The team extended the lead to 14 points in the second period, highlighted by back-to-back triples from Are and John Paul Cauilan.
However, Hernandez answered with his first three-pointer to ignite Batangas City’s comeback, trimming the deficit to 44–36 at halftime.
The Rum Masters began to find their rhythm in the third quarter, with Hernandez continuing to lead the charge as Batangas pulled within 70–67 heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, James Una opened the scoring for Zamboanga, but Batangas quickly seized control. Philip Paniamogan sank three free throws, followed by a three-pointer from Cedrick Ablaza and another trey from Paniamogan, putting Batangas ahead 76–72.
Zamboanga fought back, tying the game at 85–85 after a clutch basket from John Arthur Calisay with just over two minutes left. But Batangas responded decisively, unleashing a 10–2 run to close the game and secure the win.
Batangas’ Balanced Effort Seals the Win
Behind Hernandez’s explosion, Batangas City got solid contributions across the board.
- Juneric Baloria tallied 18 points, including three three-pointers, alongside five assists and four rebounds.
- Cedrick Ablaza delivered a strong two-way performance with 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
- Mark Niel Cruz added eight points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Philip Paniamogan chipped in eight points, three assists, and one rebound.
Their collective effort, especially in the paint and on defense, helped Batangas dominate the second half and wear down Zamboanga’s front line.
Zamboanga’s Effort Falls Short
Despite the loss, Gabat led Zamboanga with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Michael Are followed with 12 points, including three treys, while Una and Calisay both scored 10 points apiece.
Alvin John Capobres contributed nine points, three rebounds, and two assists, and Cauilan and Rafael Are added eight points each in the defeat.
After a strong start, Zamboanga struggled to sustain its momentum in the final quarter as Batangas tightened its defense and capitalized on crucial turnovers.
Looking Ahead
With the 95–87 win, the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters move one step closer to another deep playoff run in the MPBL South Division, while Zamboanga Sikat bows out after a valiant effort. All eyes now turn to Batangas’ upcoming semifinal showdown against Biñan, a matchup expected to deliver fireworks between two of the league’s most dynamic teams.
The Scores:
Batangas City 95 – Hernandez 29, Baloria 18, Ablaza 12, Cruz 8, Paniamogan 8, Isit 5, Torralba 5, Ochea 4, Apinan 4, Ambulodto 2, Dela Virgen 0, Arim0, Olayon 0.
Zamboanga 87 – Gabat 13, M. Are 12, Una 10, Calisay 10, Capolres 9, Cauilan 8, R. Are 8, Sawat 7, Turco 6, Mosqueda 2, Sena 2, Ignacio-Hg 0, Luciano 0, Salim 0.
Quarter Scores: 15-23, 36-44, 67-70, 95-87.
