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| Levi Hernandez delivers for the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters. MPBL |
BINAN--Batangas City escaped one last push from Davao Occidental to clinch a place in the MPBL South Division semifinals through an 89-86 Game 2 win on Thursday night at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Anchored upon back-to-back threes from Arth Dela Cruz and Kenneth Ighalo, the Tigers cut the Rum Masters' lead down to one, 85-84, with 2:57 left.
However, Davao Occidental could not complete the comeback, and Philip Paniamogan hit a crucial jump and MJ Dela Virgen made two free throws to seal Batangas City's win.
Levi Hernandez paced the Rum Masters, who swept the Tigers in their round-of-16 encounter, with 20 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block.
Ced Ablaza and Jong Baloria each added 13 points with Ablaza also tallying 10 rebounds as they await the winner of the South Cotabato Warriors-Binan Tatak Gel series in the next round.
TH Tumalip put up 19 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one block, while Dela Cruz added 10 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one block for Davao Occidental, whose MPBL comeback ended in a first-round exit.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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