Batangas City clips Imus to take MPBL playoff opener

Jong Baloria helped Batangas City make sure Imus will not repeat at them at home. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

BATANGAS CITY—Batangas City breezed through Imus to take a 78-71 win in Game 1 of their MPBL South Division Playoffs first-round series on Tuesday night at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

The Embassy Chill held the SV Squad to just eight points in the first quarter, which set the tone for their blowout win.

Imus, though, finished the game with six straight points to trim the final margin to a more respectable one.

Jong Baloria led Batangas City, which avenged their defeat to Imus at home on May 9, with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Levi Hernandez added 13 points, two rebounds, and one assist.

Carlo Lastimosa made 18 markers, one rebound, two dimes, and one steal to lead the SV Squad.

Due to the unavailability of the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos, Game 2 will be played next Tuesday at the STRIKE Gymnasium in Bacoor, which gives the seventh-seeded Imus squad some sort of homecourt edge being the other team representing Cavite in the MPBL.

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno