PHOENIX came away with a crucial come-from-behind victory against NorthPort on Wednesday to earn a trip to semifinals of the 2025 Batang PBA 15U division tournament at the CCF Gym in Pasig.
On the brink of elimination after its slim 70-69 defeat against the Terrafirma Dyip on Monday, the Batang Fuel Masters found a away to win and, more importantly, clinched a spot in the Final Four with an 89-79 rout of the Batang Pier in Group A.
Jam Carlos Fernandez and Cace Lazaro had 17 points each while Kristoff Emmanuel Oliva added 16 for Phoenix, which rallied from 11 points down wound up tied with NorthPort and Terrafirma at the end of the single round eliminations.
The Fuel Master and the Batang Pier made it to the round on the strength on superior quotient.
In the days only other game, Ginebra charged back from 28 points deficit to eliminate Meralco, 87-83, in the 13U division behind the heroics of Kirk Drazen Collier, who tallied a tournament high 39 points.
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By inflicting Meralco its second loss, Ginebra and idle Magnolia secured their place in the semifinals in Group A.
The Batang Gin Kings and the Batang Hotshots will dispute the top spot on Thursday.
Collier drew support from Khalel Ray Evangelista and Xian Kobi Legasp, who scored 17 and 10 points, respectively, for Ginerba, which erased a 17-45 deficit at the half. (JBU)
The Scores:?First Game (13U)
Ginebra 87 - Collier 39, Evangelista 17, Legaspi 10, Manalang 7, Angeles 5, Ramos 3, Balladores 3, Abanes 2, Castro 1, Cortes 0, Venzon 0, Dismon 0.
?Meralco 83 - Cabantog 20, Carpina 17, Lugue L. 17, Lebron 9, Peralta 8, Lugue K. 6, Posada 4, Flores 0, Balios 0.
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Quarterscores: 7-21, 17-45, 42-61, 87-83.
Second Game (15U)
Phoenix 89 - Fernandez 17, Lazaro 17, Oliva 16, Morre 8, Umali 6, Madrona 4, Bagos 3, Balao 3, Diwa 2.
NorthPort 79 - Ogoc 17, Gumatay 15, Acbo 11, Buenaventura 10, Cillo 7, Jacinto 6, Acera 5, Solidum 4, Ghazwan 4, Aguinaldo 0, Del Rosario 0.
Quarterscores: 25-26, 40-51, 67-64, 89-79.
