BATANGAS City and Quezon completed contrasting victories on Saturday to take different paths in the playoffs of the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the Valenzuela Astrodome Saturday.
The Tanduay-backed Athletics overpowered the BaiShipping-supported Bataan Defenders, 95-82, to sweep their best-of-three quarterfinal series and advance into the next round trouble free.
Ex-PBA player Lester Alvarez led a balanced scoring attack by Batangas City, which drew double-digit outputs from five players in wielding the ax on the Gary David-led Defenders.
After concentrating on setting the tone for the Athletics’ convincing win in Game 1, Alvarez went double time on the offensive end as he led the way with 17 points on top of six assists and five rebounds. He dished out 10 assists in just the first half of play at the start of the series, but decided to take charge in offense in the series-clinching win.
His long-time teammate, Val Acuna, contributed 14, the same output produced by Bong Qujinto, while Jhaymo Eguilos and Adrian Santos chipped in 11 apiece for the squad.
“Closing out the series is the most difficult thing to do, and that’s exactly what happened,” said Batangas City coach Mac Tan. “Now that we’re in the semis, perhaps we can only have a short break and prepare. We’re going to have a Holy Week break, but will be back in practice by Black Saturday.”
If Batangas City is determined to make it to the semis early, Quezon City had other plans and the Royal Manila-backed Capitals spoiled the Valenzuela Classic-Yulz’s march to the next round by pulling off a 76-68 victory to force a rubber match.