TALK ‘N Text pulled off a thrilling 63-62 comeback win against PBA Greats to cap a championship sweep in the 2024 Batang PBA-Centrum Kids 11-under tournament on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
Thiago Cruz drained the go-ahead basket in the last 21 seconds as the Batang Tropang Giga banked on one last defensive stand to carve out the thrilling victory over the resilient PBA Greats squad.
Cruz finished with 24 points while his brother Theon fired 15 in TNT’s perfect campaign in six games.
Ginebra shared the spotlight following its 59-43 victory over Blackwater in the other Finals duel to rule the 9-Under category.
Jariel Centeno scored 12 points to lead the Batang Gin Kings to its fourth straight win. Liam Lazaro contributed 11 and Nicole Gab Dapatnapo added 10.
Ginebra, which beat Blackwater, Magnolia and Converge in the elimination rounds, opened the game with a 16-5 run and held on from there en route to its 16-point triumph.
Early in the morning, Blackwater and Converge debuted in style while San Miguel rebounded with a big win at the resumption 15-under tournament.
The Batang Bossing clobbered NLEX, 62-43 in Group A, while the Batang FiberXers blasted NorthPort, 98-51 in Group B.
Prince Cabog tallied 20 points while Hanz Sarte added 12 in Blackwater’s roaring debut.
Five players scored in double digits for Converge led by Prince Cariño with 19 points. Jacob Datu contributed 17 points, Ian San Gabriel had 13, Kierdy Victoria chipped in 12 and Jericho Padilla added 10.
In the other 15-U duel, San Miguel downed Magnolia, 77-48, to even its record at 1-1 in Group A. It lost to Phoenix, 82-52, on opening day last Thursday.
Von Xanthien Dalangin rifled in 23 points, Zoilo Dagami III had 14 while Inigo del Rosario and Jeremiah Gastador threw in 10 points each for the Batang Beermen.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine avenged its 59-43 loss against Ginebra also on Thursday by escaping past Meralco, 70-68, in Group B in the lone 13-U match.
Neale Sigue fired 16 points to headline the Batang Elasto Painters.
